“Did you read that poem?” Dorrance asked from behind Ralph. “The one that starts ‘Each thing I do I rush through so I can do something else’?”
Steven King, from Insomnia
How many of us rush through what we must “do” because it is tedious, or we do not feel like doing it? We lead unmindful lives, allowing moments to rush by in a flurry of frustration and angst, always thinking the next thing will be better, more entertaining, and more rewarding.
When we go through our days unengaged in the present moment, we tend to forget our days, conversations, and moments. We are so caught up in thoughts and to-do lists that “doing” becomes frustrating. So we must learn how to flow through our days in a state of being and awareness.
Being comes from our authentic self, our most profound inner knowingness. It is effortless, flowing, dynamic, and honest. Most of us have experienced moments of awareness, the proper focus, and immersion in what we are doing. In those flow states, we become one with our task when the background chatter is reduced to non-existent. I experience these stretched-out moments of awareness when reading, painting, or drawing. Notice these are all creative endeavors. We are inherently creative beings, so a flow state is natural in artists, writers, and musicians.
Through practice, we can experience these moments of flow, of pure being, more frequently. We can align ourselves with the Universe and live in harmony.
Escape is doing. Gentle awareness is being.
Motivation and Intention
In addition to mindfulness practice/training, we must look deeply at our motivation and intention. We need to understand the WHY of our actions. When we participate in practices that encourage mindlessness, it is usually for escape. We try to escape stress and unpleasantness from our work, families, or minds. Incessant scrolling on social media or recklessly imbibing substances are examples of escapist behaviors. Escape is doing. Gentle awareness is being.
We must embrace the opportunity to confront our toxic and unpleasant emotions head-on when they arise. Rather than shying away from them, we should sit with these emotions and investigate their origins. Let’s take, for example, the frustrating task of doing the dishes or taking out the garbage. Instead of simply dismissing our frustration, let’s ask ourselves: “Why does this task provoke such strong emotions?”
Through deep introspection and unwavering self-reflection, we can uncover the true source of our frustration. Consider my own personal experience with the seemingly mundane task of taking out the garbage. Initially, I may have attributed my frustration solely to the act itself. However, upon further examination, I discovered a deeper underlying issue – a recurring pattern of my son neglecting his responsibility to perform this task. This realization forces me to confront a fundamental problem: my own avoidance of addressing this issue and engaging in open communication.
By boldly acknowledging this frustration and bravely diving into self-analysis, I can redirect my attention to the root cause of the problem – my own failure to assertively address the situation. It becomes clear that my frustration does not stem solely from the act of disposing of trash, but rather from my own reluctance to address the underlying issue. Armed with this newfound self-awareness, I can confidently tackle the situation, effectively addressing my son’s apparent laziness through constructive dialogue and assertive action.
Our frustration often arises when we hold unrealistic expectations of others that aren’t fulfilled. However, it is important to recognize that life is unpredictable, and sometimes, circumstances simply don’t align with our desires. Instead of placing blame on others, we must take responsibility for managing our own expectations. By cultivating a mindset of clarity and understanding, we can navigate through challenges with confidence and grace. Remember, finding a balance between stillness and action is the key to experiencing true flow in our daily lives.
Through yoga, meditation, and breathwork, we can feel some ease and adjust to a slower pace, allowing space for gentle awareness to arise naturally. We begin to stop doing and start being.
Namaste.
Please contact me if you would like more information on how to start your own personal practices of ease and flow.