In my work I talk a lot about the clock, and the fact that it moves by itself, by virtue of the fact that our planet naturally rotates around itself and the sun, which is how we track time. If we stare at the clock, or our watch, we can have proof of this by […]
Tag: mental stress
Our Attachment to Fantasy
When we set large goals in our life, it takes a very long time, if not forever, to adjust to the way things actually go. Marriages, family, partnerships, homes, jobs, and hobbies are areas that present themselves with assumptions of long term continuity. Our mind can wrap itself tightly around a plan, and when a […]
When Good Things Happen
What I find exciting about not knowing what is coming next in life is the guarantee that we will continue to act, and that new things will happen to us every moment of our day. Because the state of being is by default a state of action (by virtue of the fact that we are […]
Inner Doing vs. Real Doing
Inner doing is effort, which translates into mental and physical tension. It is an “idea” of doing, a mental state of worry and trying to make things happen. Real doing is physical activity, which can only occur in the present moment with our body, in coordination with the linear progression of time. In each moment […]
The Dream of Constant Okayness (Pema Chödrön)
“It’s not impermanence per se, or even knowing we’re going to die, that is the cause of our suffering, the Buddha taught. Rather, it’s our resistance to the fundamental uncertainty of our situation. Our discomfort arises from all of our efforts to put ground under our feet, to realize our dream of constant okayness. When […]
What Is Incorrect
“What is incorrect is any thought that suggests it is possible for our life to be going any other way than it is.” Jill Eng, Body Over Mind, a mindful reality check
Not Thinking
“Not thinking is excellent. Everything will happen.” Robert Rabbin, The Sacred Hub
Nothing to Figure Out
The only action that will ever be available to me in any given moment is that which I am already doing. Action, what we call doing, is physical, and can only be executed by the body through its momentary activity. Some examples are: I am sitting in a chair, talking to a friend, writing a […]
Real Time
In my work I highlight the difference between what I call thought time and real time. Putting our attention on real time allows us to follow the progression of our body’s activity from one moment to the next. I find this useful in order to remind myself that I am always engaged in some activity, […]
Here, Now, With our Body
“In our mind’s eye problems should resolve quickly, while in actuality they can work themselves out very gradually. Though our physical behavior moves sequentially with the clock, thought does not. Thoughts skip around in ways that make us feel like we can jump in and out of the present moment, and act in the past […]
Jill Eng 