WEEKEND MAY 21-23, 2010

SPIRITUAL PERSCRIPTION FOR LIFE #1 ...... BEING IN THE MOMENT

Good Afternoon,

I am sure everyone is looking forward to the weekend, this is a great time to rest, relax and recharge. It is also time to reflect on our spiritual journey and take notice where we are relative to where we see ourselves. The best way to say this is, 'Being in the Moment".

So here are 5 ways for staying in the (spiritual) moment.

1. CHILDREN. There's no one better at being present than a child. I love to watch my grandson as he plays and interacts with other children. he hasn't a thought about what happened yesterday, he isn't concerned with tomorrow, his only thought is to run, spin and fall down. What could be more important in this world. he runs to meet the day, he gives the world a spin and when it stops he gathers all his strength and picks it up. Not a bad philosophy. Be a child and just see what happens!

2. Cats. I am not really a cat lover, but I love watching cats. You have to wonder what in the world is going thru their minds. You know they think of themselves in terms so much different than we think. They are so confident, they march forward. They are fearless, you just sense the lion within. And when they find what they want, they just ponce and enjoy. You know they are not thinking about what they ate earlier, they sure are not concerned about knocking over my wife's favorite vase. They are all about now. Be like a cat and just let things happen.

3. Dessert. I really know how to eat dessert. Actually, of all the people I know, I truly savor every spoon and fork full. I close my eyes and I allow my mouth and tongue to sense every sensation of taste. be it salty or sweet, warm or cool. Where many people gobble, I tend to savor every morsel. I am immediately transported to another dimension away from the nonsensical realities that get in our way. The next time you eat dessert or anything, try not to think about anything else, don't read, don't talk to anyone. just experience the food.

4. Zen Sweeper. It has been said that the only two jobs of a Zen monk are sitting (meditation) and sweeping. Cleaning is a daily ritual of a Zen monk, one of their most important daily practices. They sweep or rake, and they try to do nothing else. They aren't thinking of how Zen they are, the sweeping is the Zen thing. The next time you sweep or any chore, try concentrating on the work, on the dust, on the motion, on the sensation.

5. Yourself, or loose yourself in something. You've been in the moment plenty of times. You may not have been aware of it, but you have just the same. Can you remember the last time you lost yourself in a task? Not lost in thought (we all do this a lot as we get older), but lost in the doing of the task itself. you were concentrating fully, you thought of nothing else. The world just dissolved. You know, you were in the zone, totally immersed in your work, so connected. It doesn't much matter whether it was work, play, or just fixing that squeaky door hinge, anything. Next time, try to remember that feeling, that connectedness, and then replicate it.

OK, so maybe I got a little carried away, but i think you get the point. Just try it, maybe you will like it so much that you will want to repeat the experience again and again, and again.

Have a joyful weekend,

Robb