Being mode

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
– Oliver Wendell Holmes

A year or so ago I acquired a second-hand book by author Jon Kabat-Zinn on mindfulness (for more on his research, see Jan 12, 2008 blog entry). As I think about being instead of doing, much of what Kabat-Zinn writes is helpful. A few quotes follow:

“A good way to stop all the doing is to shift into the ‘being mode’ for a moment. Think of yourself as an eternal witness, as timeless. Just watch this moment, without trying to change it at all. What is happening? What do you feel? What do you see? What do you hear?”…

“Try: Stopping, sitting down, and becoming aware of your breathing once in a while throughout the day. It can be for five minutes, or even five seconds. Let go into full acceptance of the present moment, including how you are feeling and what you perceive to be happening. For these moments, don’t try to change anything at all, just breathe and let go. Breathe and let be.” – Jon Kabat-Zinn, P 11,12 Wherever You Go There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life

It is easy to type out the quote – much harder to apply it in my everyday.

If you see me, ask me how I’m doing; please?