One of the many invaluable gifts of living in a city like New York is the remarkably inspiring amount of cultural diversity. The streets hum and croon, with the unique syncopated pulse of what feels like the promise of fulfilled hope. Like a melodic jazz score, the citizens of this commonwealth of opportunity ride the alluring current of absolute possibility. A city teeming with people from somewhere else.
Everyday, I am lucky to bear witness to this magnificent composition of human experience. I am able to see, without the obstruction of the polished metal and glass of a car, the real presence of a dynamic variety of people. Their smiles and their frowns, the joys they cannot hide, the embraces. All of this, expanding the canvas and color of how I understand and appreciate not only human existence, but my own.
I say this because I feel too often we are conditioned to believe that our personal happiness, our salvation as some would say, is "Elsewhere." A contingency or circumstance that is invariably located in the future. Dependent upon some item, or goal that lies ahead or behind, but not within us. The feeling that "if only I had this....then I would be happy."
I would rather argue that the contentment we seek is never divided from us. But rather, it lies in the "Now" of our everyday lives. This, for me, is a notion of complete "Presence". We often are riddled with compulsive thinking: bills, schedules, problems in need of resolution. These can become overwhelming parts of our existence, making us feel like slaves to our mind.
The next time you feel this way (which probably be soon) attempt to separate yourself from your mind. After all, you are not your mind. You are much more. Listen to your thoughts with your whole body. Don't analyze, just listen. Even in motion, there is a stillness of self that can be called upon to harmonize our being at any time. In Zen teachings, it's called the Satori, the gift of total presence. Real transformation doesn't occur outside of our bodies, it is within. I would be lying if I said I was able to practice this all of the time, but a consistent effort will transform how your days and nights are experienced.
Think back to a moment when a surge, of what YOU felt to happiness, came upon you. Imagine how every extremity in your body felt, the energy, the warmth, whatever it may have been. Our bodies are in constant dialogue with ourselves, all we must do, is attempt to listen.
Consider this, a single human cell, that measures 1/1000 of an inch, contains instructions that would fill 1,000 books of 600 pages each. (staggering isn't it).
What does this mean? We have an astronomic amount of intelligence at work in our bodies at every given moment. Be in communication with your natural self, don't just interact. Communication is about being in "communion" with something. An ally of sorts. The next time you experience a situation that you might find troublesome, accept that moment as though you have chosen it. Work with it, not against it.
The possibilities of our existence are, and always will be, within us at every moment. The invitation never expires, and the internal knock at the door will always be there, silently beckoning that you enter, it's time to step inside.
All my best,
Jay Kubassek - 31489
Everyday, I am lucky to bear witness to this magnificent composition of human experience. I am able to see, without the obstruction of the polished metal and glass of a car, the real presence of a dynamic variety of people. Their smiles and their frowns, the joys they cannot hide, the embraces. All of this, expanding the canvas and color of how I understand and appreciate not only human existence, but my own.
I say this because I feel too often we are conditioned to believe that our personal happiness, our salvation as some would say, is "Elsewhere." A contingency or circumstance that is invariably located in the future. Dependent upon some item, or goal that lies ahead or behind, but not within us. The feeling that "if only I had this....then I would be happy."
I would rather argue that the contentment we seek is never divided from us. But rather, it lies in the "Now" of our everyday lives. This, for me, is a notion of complete "Presence". We often are riddled with compulsive thinking: bills, schedules, problems in need of resolution. These can become overwhelming parts of our existence, making us feel like slaves to our mind.
The next time you feel this way (which probably be soon) attempt to separate yourself from your mind. After all, you are not your mind. You are much more. Listen to your thoughts with your whole body. Don't analyze, just listen. Even in motion, there is a stillness of self that can be called upon to harmonize our being at any time. In Zen teachings, it's called the Satori, the gift of total presence. Real transformation doesn't occur outside of our bodies, it is within. I would be lying if I said I was able to practice this all of the time, but a consistent effort will transform how your days and nights are experienced.
Think back to a moment when a surge, of what YOU felt to happiness, came upon you. Imagine how every extremity in your body felt, the energy, the warmth, whatever it may have been. Our bodies are in constant dialogue with ourselves, all we must do, is attempt to listen.
Consider this, a single human cell, that measures 1/1000 of an inch, contains instructions that would fill 1,000 books of 600 pages each. (staggering isn't it).
What does this mean? We have an astronomic amount of intelligence at work in our bodies at every given moment. Be in communication with your natural self, don't just interact. Communication is about being in "communion" with something. An ally of sorts. The next time you experience a situation that you might find troublesome, accept that moment as though you have chosen it. Work with it, not against it.
The possibilities of our existence are, and always will be, within us at every moment. The invitation never expires, and the internal knock at the door will always be there, silently beckoning that you enter, it's time to step inside.
All my best,
Jay Kubassek - 31489
