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Welcome!
When we are focused on balancing and integrating our
mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual lives, we often find
it helpful to hear from others on the journey. Our deepest questions
may be articulated by others. We may feel less alone, and more
connected to those around us in meaningful ways.
It
is my hope that the words of this occasional letter will touch
your life and heart- that you will see how a life of more awareness
leads to a life of healing the deepest hurts- a life of compassion
for self and others, and a life worth living! You are invited to share your insights, questions, and requests
for future articles.
| A Question
of Interest |
Awareness or Blindness?
"Remember the entrance door to the Sanctuary is
inside you." Rumi
Are we looking inside? Is there a curiosity? Bringing
curiosity to our experiences, we become Aware. Our eyes
are open and notice stuff we haven't seen before. We
learn to recognize what's true and false, and refrain
from getting caught up in pain producing, untrue thoughts.
Not looking within, we stay ignorant
(and blind) to what's true. We are walking around with "eyes wide
shut". We live from unexplored beliefs created in
the past, which may no longer have relevance. We may
continue to bite our nails, think of oneself as a "Type
A" person, be anxious, and unable to relax.
We will continue to think the same way, unless we stop
and consider the connection of our feelings and experiences
to belief. It is important to wonder about the beliefs
behind our behavior.
In questioning belief, we uncover
mistaken habitual beliefs. With open honest exploration
directed within, asking, "What is this?" we
find what is true. Confusion disperses in a moment
of seeing what's true. A feeling of freedom remains.
And no one else can give us such a feeling. The true
Sanctuary lies in seeing and knowing what's true for
oneself.
read more about awareness
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| Fresh Perspectives |
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Open
Active Curiosity is Essential!
an excerpt from
Nina Livingstone's forthcoming book Let's Not
Call It Meditation:Practical information for people
who think they can't sit still and quiet the mind. I
saw a bumper sticker once, which read, "Curiosity
explores magic. So ask questions!" The "magic" is
what happens when we are open, and actively curious!
Watching a child explore the garden soil demonstrates
this perfectly. Anything found is a treasure.
All of it is as it is, and the moment-to- moment
detailed looking is enough! Curiosity fuels the
whole exploration. There is nothing to judge
as good or bad. Everything discovered is perfect,
just as it is.Wonder-full!
When
we bring an open curiosity to our confusion, and our
painful experiences, we allow a kind of magic into
our lives. Curiosity allows us to explore without knowing
how things will work out. Feeling the body's experiences,
noticing thought, and not doing anything to resist
or hold on, we discover the cloud-like qualities of
our feelings and thoughts. Fears dissipate. We notice
physical sensations and/or hear thoughts passing through.
There's nothing else for the mind to do. We're simply
noticing what's happening in the moment.
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| An Invitation |
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Fall
Classes Beginning Soon
New
Life Learning Institute
Please
consider joining Nina for any or all of her Fall classes.There
are two series of four classes on different aspects
of Awareness.We will find a personal meaning for Healing
with Awareness, and experience forgiveness, compassion
and meditation together.Classes starting Tuesday,October
5th in Rochester at Mystic Moon on Park Avenue and
Thursday, November 11 in Spencerport at The Dove Gift
Shop and Reiki Healing Center.
Go
to the link at the bottom of this section for class
descriptions, evening class times and fees for classes.Also,
if you haven't explored Nina's meditation CDs, you
can listen to audio samples through the CDs pages at
www.healingwithawareness.com.
Monday
evening meditation and discussion sessions continue
at Nina's home. The group is small. Donation requested.
Beginners are always welcome. Call or email for more
info.
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