I’ve never been much of a morning person.  My perfect morning allows me time to move slowly and engage my mind for only the simplest of tasks (like making coffee and getting dressed).  I no longer have to arrive at an office at a pre-determined time, but when I did I would get up at least an hour and a half before I needed to leave home – just to allow me time to readjust to this reality.

On rare occasions, I don’t have the luxury of waking up slowly.  A few days ago, I needed to get my brain going full-steam right away.  There were business papers to be updated with some over-night, last minute changes; and everything needed to be “just so”.  Luckily my brain can kick into high-gear at a moment’s notice, so everything got done on time.

So much of “spiritual practice” is about getting out of your head and bypassing your mind.  This focus is so strong with some practices that the beauty and value of the mind gets a bit lost.  So it may sound a bit strange to some when they hear me say; “I love my mind!”

I like to exercise my mind so that it can jump into high-gear whenever I call upon it to do so.  I think that my mind ‘appreciates’ being utilized.  The more I use it, the sharper it becomes.  Of course, when it’s time for the mind to take a back seat and allow my higher levels to take command; it puts up less and less of a “fight”.

Everything seems to have a place and a purpose.  If I’m going to be here, in a body, then I don’t want to deny or minimize any part of that experience.  There will be plenty of time for “out of body” experiences when my body dies.  I have no interest in those experiences at this moment. 

And, as long as I’m fully in my body, I may as well utilize my mind as well, when it is appropriate to do so.  Neither my body nor my mind “rule” my life experience, but they do contribute to it in their own unique ways.

Meditation, exercise, and other modalities are great tools to quiet the mind when it’s getting in your way.  Bypassing the mind in order to get to higher levels of awareness about our experience here, or to get clarity about our next steps; is a powerful skill to have.  Just make sure that, when you have a purpose for the talents of your mind, use the mind fully.

Find the subtle balance that works for you, and you’ll have the best of all parts of you working together like a well-oiled machine.

Namaste!

Susan M Wright

Watching Turner Classic Movies

Every year during the Holiday season, old memories present for me.  Some of these are good; others I could do without.  Over the years, as I have let go of memories that I am ‘complete’ with, and added new happier events into my memory banks; life has changed for me.

I am so used to having plenty of everything that I could possibly ask for, and anything new I might want showing up easily, that I hardly remember struggling or longing for something.  Times have changed.  Whoo-hoo!

Watching classic movies often shows how much life has changed over the years.  Not just the technology, but also family values and priorities.  To me, life was great 40 years ago, and I love life today.  All of the changes make living interesting. 

So enjoy the changes!

Life is good!

Lots of Love!

Wolfgang