Thoughts on Yoga
Breaking Through the EveryDay Mind
2008-02-26
Appreciation
It’s no accident that “appreciate” means to increase in value. When we appreciate some aspect of our life, we increase its value. The more things we appreciate, the more value we perceive as belonging to us.
With mental practice and training, we can learn to appreciate everything that comes into our lives. Everything in our world becomes valuable to us. When everything we experience has value, isn't that the epitome of prosperity?
Why we don't appreciate life enough
Often we have to put a little effort into paying attention. We are accustomed to holding everything at arm’s length. If we don’t really pay attention something, we’re not affected by it, we don’t have any emotional investment in it, so sometimes it’s just easier to get through our busy lives not paying attention to much of anything.
Of course, in our hearts we know there is no point to our life if it is just about getting through the day locked into our busy-ness. But it’s like a spell. In order to cope with our lives, we can fall into habitual non-seeing, and non-feeling. We can even forget that there was ever a different way to live. Days, months, even years can go by while we just keep it all going.
Breaking the Spell
What is necessary to break the spell of daily-ness is just the decision to appreciate each and every aspect of our existence. What about those things we don't really feel appreciative about? How do we generate a feeling that isn't there?
It is challenging to find the benefit in everything, no exceptions. At first it is just too hard. You can build up to it by using your meditation time wisely. If you don't meditate every day, this is a good reason to start. You can sit quietly for a few minutes each night before sleep and run through your day in your mind. Mentally say "thank you" for everything that gave you a positive or even neutral feeling. Concentrate on the feeling of love in your heart as you chant "thank you" again and again.
After practicing this technique every day for a while you will notice you are more open to feeling appreciative about those things you might have condemned in the past. Gradually, you will see that everything in your life has been necessary and perfect for your unfolding.