Holistic Performance Group
  • Training and Coaching
  • CAPE Statement
  • Resources
  • About
  • Contact

Independence!

7/7/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture

In the US, we inaugurate July with a national celebration of our country’s self-rule. Our Declaration of Independence from Great Britain was adopted 238 years ago, on July 4, 1776, by the Continental Congress.

Before then, disgruntled colonists’ rallying cry, “no taxation without representation”, expressed outrage at financing a Parliament that denied their direct participation, but required their tribute.



How might we ponder this in light of Mindfulness? Well, instead of “no taxation without representation”, we might consider “no action without contemplation”. Or, the classic adage, “Don’t just do something, sit there!”

Of course, not ALL action needs postponement. When we see a child in danger from an oncoming car, we act without hesitation to save her. If we see a live spark fly from the barbecue onto the dry grass, we jump up to stamp it out.

But, we may find ourselves reacting without thinking, and perhaps out of proportion, to everyday situations. In these cases, we may be held hostage to impulses we don’t understand, or thoughts, emotions and values that operate in the shadows.

To regain our independence, we might benefit from a noticing practice.

Mindfulness encourages us to notice, without judgment or attachment, what our minds are up to. This practice, for me, has yielded wonderful, and sometimes surprising insights. By consciously “watching” my inner world, I gain awareness of my motivations. I discover what I really feel about a situation. Once my awareness is heightened, I can choose to postpone action – action that might have been precipitous – in favor of further contemplation. Rather than simply react, I can respond.

We can build a noticing practice through a simple exercise:

·       Sit quietly, with eyes closed, and focus on the breath as it moves in and out.

·       Allow your thoughts and feelings to pass by, without focusing on them.

·       You can say, silently, “thought, thought, thought” or “feeling, feeling, feeling.” In doing so, you identify and acknowledge them, and also decrease your reactivity to them.

Thanks to this practice, I have occasionally saved others, my relationships, and myself from the consequences of impulsive actions. No small thing J

Here’s what else I have found: Noticing builds awareness. Awareness creates choices. Choices enhance freedom.

May you experience the same.  Here’s to your own Independence!


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Acceptance
    Accountability
    Adaptability
    Appreciation
    Awareness
    Balance
    Beach
    Burnout
    Celebrating Milestones
    Challenge
    Change
    Coaching
    Cognitive Function
    Comfort Zone
    Communication
    Community
    Connection
    Consistency
    Creativity
    Decision Making
    Determination
    Expectations
    Flexibility
    Freedom
    Goals
    Gratitude
    Growth Opportunities
    Habits
    Imagination
    Incremental Change
    Independence
    Innovation
    Joy
    Leadership
    Mindful Movement
    Mindfulness
    Mindset
    Motivation
    Muscle Memory
    Patterns
    Perspective
    Play
    Positive Self-talk
    Positivity
    Power Dynamic
    Productivity
    Relationships
    Relax
    Resilience
    Responsiblity
    Rest
    Risks
    Self Care
    Self-care
    Serenity
    Step By Step
    Sticktoitiveness
    Stress
    Success
    Summer
    Sun
    Support
    Sustainability
    Taking Action
    Time Management
    Trust
    Vacation
    Visualization
    Vitamins
    Volunteering
    World Cup

Proudly powered by Weebly
✕