Space

Silence is like a cradle holding our endeavors and our will; a silent spaciousness sustains us in our work and at the same time connects us to larger worlds that, in the business of our daily struggle to achieve, we have not yet investigated. Silence is the soul’s break for freedom. David Whyte

Space is not spacing out. Creating space is opening up to possibilities, a clarity. Any healthy relationship has a healthy space, and little judgement. Have a good relationship with yourself!!!

One cultivates spaciousness or awareness which allows you to acknowledge the emotions and see them as part of the human condition. Emotions are like subtle thought forms and they all arise in response to something outside yourself. They are all reactions. You cultivate a quietness in yourself that watches these emotions rising and falling and passing away. Ram Dass

To Know I am nothing, no-thing, spacious, is to be able to access everything. If I am something then I have identified who I am, how I need to act, what I need to get, not get, what I am afraid of, all my limitations. I become solid and full, nothing more can get in. When I drop my identifying with… anything, the space where truth, joy and wisdom are, is part of my experience.

In an addiction or an obsession there is little space. We are consumed by a mental obsession or craving. We become small, dark and fearful. Even now, a single negative look, word or action from someone may make us angry or afraid. We forget we are a spiritual being in a worldly situation and we need to balance the two with space and patience. When you feel yourself being drawn towards fear or resentment, open up to accept that thought within a much larger arena of patience and calmness that is who you are. Care for the other person, don’t reject or resent them.Be larger than any act of smallness. Feel yourself expand and grow into the joy of all
aspects of life. If you find yourself needing everything to go the way YOU want it to, and feel you are a victim, feel sorry for yourself when it doesn’t happen, well, that deserves a good laugh.

Meditation, mindfulness-awareness, may give us a glance that our thoughts are not solid, are not truth, but just a story we tell ourselves to protect an image we have of ourselves. Almost all, if not all of my fears, I now see as only a figment of my imagination that keeps me in chains.

Our spiritual walk begins when we acknowledge that we are indulging in a behavior that is extremely harmful and sometimes deadly to ourselves and others. We are bound to it, enslaved.  At first we have little or no spaciousness in our minds. We have been consumed by, and identify with a behavior. As we begin to be able to distance ourselves somewhat, find some space, from our affliction we begin to be able to open our minds more. We begin to open up to the world, feel better about ourselves and being engaged in a path that is difficult at times but rewarding and healthy. We identify with our recovery, which is healthy.

As we continue to progress we recognize that our difficulties arise from a mind that needs to keep identifying with something, many things, in order to give us something to hang onto that defines us. Pretty full of WHO we are. As we continue to progress we may naturally drop many of the “identifications”. We can be in recovery,  and be a nurse or in construction or administration, without identifying with that is who I am. It is one part of my life I engage in and feel good about.  I am aware of conflicting emotions in myself. I may have a resentment, or a fear that is overwhelming me and affecting all I do negatively. I can give those emotions space to be there, but to not define who I am. I may feeling angry or sad, it is one experience I am having within the larger space of my total experience.  With a spacious mind I am able to experience all that comes up, but I am not bound by it. I am mindful of where my mind goes, because I have trained myself to be more aware. Meditation is one of those training tools. 

A teaspoon of salt in a tea cup is bitter, a teaspoon of salt in a beautiful calm pond is still there but is not the defining ingredient. The main factor is my belief in my worthiness and serenity, that can accomodate the emotion. I look at it, take an action if needed, or let it go the best I can. Perhaps many times of letting go, but I DO NOT permit it to define and defile me. I am so much more than that!!!Quit making walls. Then begin letting YOUR walls disappear by providing space and openness, instead of more judgments and constantly pulling out your ID card.

It is important to not take this or any path too seriously. Yes, we need to be dedicated to learning,  engaging and experiencing a kinder more open and happy self. But we will not make much headway with a frown and a NEED to get there. Relax, study, practice hard and ENJOY.

Any Master I have seen exudes a sense of joy and compassion. Smile more. Practice more.

“The Wise Man believes profoundly in silence — the sign of a perfect equilibrium. Silence is the absolute poise or balance of body, mind and spirit. If you ask him: what is silence? He will answer: It is the Great Mystery! The holy silence is His voice! If you ask: What are the fruits of silence? He will say: They are self-control, true courage or endurance, patience, dignity and reverence. Silence is the cornerstone of character.” Ohiyesa, Wahpeton Santee Sioux

Ancient Vedic sages spoke of the space between thoughts.  You must become the thinker of your thoughts, not your thoughts themselves.  Otherwise you simply become the pawn of your thoughts. When you meditate, you enter that space between thoughts. Randy Gage:

Practice 50 times a day, quieting your mind. Letting go of holding onto anything. Practice just being open, spacious. When you are driving, working, making a meal, walking, talking, feeling an identity with anything.When you are feeling afraid, or just uptight from everyday life, take a spacious breath and relax. Be present with what you are doing, NOW by being in that space. Just that space of doing, nothing more. Nothing needed except space. Everything is already there. In order to get somewhere, we need to do nothing but be present.

How do you fill your bucket? One drop at a time.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

The great arises out of small things that are honored and cared for.

Heart Of Recovery web site  —  fcheartofrecovery.com