Is The Cart Before the Horse?
The Important First Step toward Mindfulness
When I talk about mindfulness and being present, sometimes I forget that those are actually steps b and c. Step a is being open to what is. This is the horse that leads the cart. Being open to what is allows us to be present without the ego-mind thoughts and conflicts that arise.
I wake some mornings from a dreamless sleep. Before I remember that I am Lynn and slip into her thoughts… about her dogs needing to be fed, or chores to be done, or worrying about her kids, and in that moment I am aware and in the presence of truth.
I am pure joy; no thoughts are present. This is who I am… then I slip into my costume, or mask of Lynn. I use the concept of life is a stage, and we are actors for this reason. We are not who we appear to be. We are the source behind what is being projected.
Is the Cart before the Horse?
Life will unfold as it will. I have no control and no need to control. It would be like going to the movies and trying to control the storyline. It doesn’t matter because I know who I am and it’s not Lynn. She will play her part and through her experiences will be perceived. Energy moves and creates through her. I am the source of energy.
Realizing this is like taking a deep breath and relaxing. I feel myself open and I am allowing the flow of energy to occur with no resistance. This is the place where mindfulness happens. I can be truly present. This moment of being open to what is, and allowing–even embracing, with the knowingness of the truth of who I am.
When I forget myself and become entrenched in the story of Lynn wonderful little learning opportunities occur. They may look like conflict, or problems but are really speed bumps to wake myself up and remember the truth. Then I course correct my thinking and recenter myself and resume the position of openness to what is. I remember who I am….
Divinity in the Timeless All
Whether the term divine, god-self, consciousness, source or truth is used to describe it, it is that connection beyond ego persona. With my human mind I can’t wrap my head around it, yet I am aware of it. The bigger truth of all that exists, beyond the stories that are created is where I am most aware that there is no self. That means no limits or separation exists, only all-ness. I am the grass, the tree, the sky and all that appears as not me. What freedom and joy is in that space! There is total acceptance in that moment.
All that I have is this moment, no past and no future. The past is my perception of a story I told, and the future is a story I’m creating. Only in this moment can I be aware of the truth of who I really am. I can do this if I slow down, observe what ego persona is creating and look beyond that where words do not exist.
Words create separation, it describes and limits, go beyond into the stillness, and quiet. Let the mind and heart open, listen to silence and become aware, feel the flow of energy and rest in the joy that occupies that space. So, when it comes to mindfulness, do not put the cart before the horse.
