There’s a subtle but decisive difference between losing yourself in fantasy and imagining from presence. When attention is anchored in being, imagination no longer drains—it generates vitality.
I'd call this simple shift of attention- to notice the drifting, to consciously step in and out- a micropractice. It sounds simple, it is, but the way we are conditioned and trained makes it challenging. What I found too is, that if being fully- embodied- present, there are barely or even no thoughts. And that doesn't happen by deciding that the mind shouldn't think. If the mind- and brain- engages with sensory input, tactile feelings, so the richness a moment contains, it has almost no capacity left for unconscious daydreaming or unnecessary word-forming. And one gets aware of desire itself too.
Truth. Multiple moments of remembering throughout the day, no matter what, where, when has been my practice. And then, at times, I do become consumed by a thought that has grabbed and held on, usually fear based. Even as I am giving it attention, it causes great suffering. So I notice that, and although it may 'have me' for varying periods of time, there is more. My hope is that we all cultivate a space that allows all to come and go, and enjoy the freedom that this bestows.
This is such an intricate dance - well, for my brain, at least - & certainly not the way I’ve been until recently. Even when i thot i was aware, i often wasnt. There’s more than one reason i read these gems you write on this subject multiple times. My own health memory issues aside, it fascinates me now to watch how attention, Being, the ego, can engage in so many different levels of interaction together & i am so often oblivious to it. I am very S L O W L Y reading Living Presence for that reason so gratitude for the classroom additional information, Professor VMB. With the added help, i just might change.
Sometimes really good ideas come when I am lost in thought. But usually the good idea startles me back into awareness. Then what follows requires concerted activity - take notes about the idea, explore it further very consciously. So the mental wandering usually stops for at least a while.
Thanks for this most illuminating essay! Over the past year you’ve often said “stop narrating,” & I wondered, isn’t that what all writers do? You have a story & you narrate it by writing about it. But now I understand the big difference between telling a story while in awareness vs. getting all lost in the story & forgetting awareness. This definitely brings clarity to writing!🌅
I'd call this simple shift of attention- to notice the drifting, to consciously step in and out- a micropractice. It sounds simple, it is, but the way we are conditioned and trained makes it challenging. What I found too is, that if being fully- embodied- present, there are barely or even no thoughts. And that doesn't happen by deciding that the mind shouldn't think. If the mind- and brain- engages with sensory input, tactile feelings, so the richness a moment contains, it has almost no capacity left for unconscious daydreaming or unnecessary word-forming. And one gets aware of desire itself too.
Truth. Multiple moments of remembering throughout the day, no matter what, where, when has been my practice. And then, at times, I do become consumed by a thought that has grabbed and held on, usually fear based. Even as I am giving it attention, it causes great suffering. So I notice that, and although it may 'have me' for varying periods of time, there is more. My hope is that we all cultivate a space that allows all to come and go, and enjoy the freedom that this bestows.
This is such an intricate dance - well, for my brain, at least - & certainly not the way I’ve been until recently. Even when i thot i was aware, i often wasnt. There’s more than one reason i read these gems you write on this subject multiple times. My own health memory issues aside, it fascinates me now to watch how attention, Being, the ego, can engage in so many different levels of interaction together & i am so often oblivious to it. I am very S L O W L Y reading Living Presence for that reason so gratitude for the classroom additional information, Professor VMB. With the added help, i just might change.
Very good. As fine a blueprint for presence as I've seen. Thank you.
Sometimes really good ideas come when I am lost in thought. But usually the good idea startles me back into awareness. Then what follows requires concerted activity - take notes about the idea, explore it further very consciously. So the mental wandering usually stops for at least a while.
Thanks for this most illuminating essay! Over the past year you’ve often said “stop narrating,” & I wondered, isn’t that what all writers do? You have a story & you narrate it by writing about it. But now I understand the big difference between telling a story while in awareness vs. getting all lost in the story & forgetting awareness. This definitely brings clarity to writing!🌅