In life many things happen, and they always fall into three categories which are pleasant, neutral and unpleasant.

Unpleasant: These ones we don't generally like. Regret, for example, is a feeling of 'if something didn't happen life would be better' and is just unpleasant. This action of regretting causes dwelling and a kind of a reliving the situation over and over. Your heart has to go through the pain from a situation that has passed many times. But, we are convinced that regretting can help in some way. This is a pattern, something that occurs often during life. I am not saying this to suggest that you try and stop this pattern or even change it but to see that it is just something that happens, like rain falling or the sun shining. Watch and see this pattern come up and then go. The subject of regret will change numerous times but the pattern remains almost identical.

Pleasant: Striving for things to be all pleasant in your life may be futile because of the way life is. So, instead of striving for that, strive to be aware of the truth of nature which is that whatever comes up also goes. If there is unpleasantness in your life, it will soon change and the same goes for pleasantness.

Neutral: There are many things in life that we don't feel one way or the other about; that's being neutral. For example, we take a look around a room and somethings we like; somethings we dislike; and somethings we don't even give a second thought to. Being aware of being neutral allows us to see what exactly is going on during life.

By being aware at the moment when something is happening and seeing the truth of it, which is that everything is prone to change and constantly in flux, will bring a deeper and more stable feeling of 'all is right in the world.'

Becoming aware takes focus. But, the focus can't be too aggressive or passive, it has to be easy and light but directed. This is so that you can be aware of what is going on in your mind and body and not interrupt the flow. Things need to be seen as they are in order for the truth to be fully seen and understood. To practice this during our daily lives, we don't need to change anything but just continue living as we would normally, but add an awareness. For a few examples, you're taking out the trash, so at that moment try to feel your body walking; you're walking around and incessantly thinking about something, just be aware of that; you're feeling great and things are well, know that; or you drove all the way home and when you arrived at home you then realized that you were completely immersed in thought the whole time seeing that thought is impermanent (has a beginning and an end), and it's out of our control (it happens without our consent). Generally speaking, the way to practice is to just feel the body as it is in daily life and/or be aware of thoughts and/or emotions coming and going as they please without our 'go ahead.' With practice, a more stable awareness will come about, and you will be able to see the way things are more clearly.

In any given moment there is awareness and awareness of something. For example awareness of a movement, such as, walking, singing, eating, running, playing and an awareness of that. Further examples of awareness are of thoughts and emotions, such as, thinking about last night, trying to figure something out, future projections, things you like or dislike and want to change or keep the same, anxiety, happiness, shame, fear and awareness of those. When something comes up, it's known and in that order. When we practice awareness, we are not trying to control things but to let them happen naturally. The more you see this, the more you will understand that things are just happening in life and are not exactly something that you devised or masterminded. Did we invent anxiety? The common thread through everything is that it's all changing, and, at no time, did anything become permanent and just freeze. Life is alive with no possibility of becoming unchanging!

aware meditate listen

Brian Eric Cohen

www.cohenbrian.wix.com/awaremeditatelisten

Memory is something that happens only in the present moment. It feels like it's something in the past, but it can only occur in the present moment. If we take a look at it from further back, giving us a more broad and all encompassing view, we would see that clearly. Memory is just thought, and we only have the ability to think in the present moment; just because a thought is about the past doesn't mean that it's in the past. The reason memory really feels like the past is because we are usually completely and absolutely lost in it.

This is the same as for thinking about the future. We often think our thoughts about the future are true. We think this because that is what we believe. We begin thinking about something in the future, but it's just the same as remembering something from the past, it all takes place in the present moment. But, when we are completely immersed in thought, it's all we can see and, thus, believe it.

What happens outside of the present moment? All of our thoughts occur in the present moment. Our bodies can't leave the present moment. All of our situations, feelings, experiences, failures, gains, good things, bad things, happen in the present moment.

Realize this deeply and that's the definition of true happiness.

aware/meditate/listen

Brian Eric Cohen

www.cohenbrian.wix.com/awaremeditatelisten

Forever

Sometimes we think that something will last forever, no matter if that something is good or bad. For example, we may be having some pains somewhere in the body and begin feeling that it may be there forever. Or, we are feeling great and think/hope that that feeling will just continue. When we begin thinking/hoping that something either will go away or remain, that is the birth of the feeling of forever (because we reach out and grab it). Without the thought/hope we would of course see that whatever feeling it is, whether that be a pain in your foot or a pleasant feeling from a new blossoming relationship, wasn't always there. The new feelings just came into your life, which of course means that it had a beginning. We don't know when it will end and knowing that is not usually in our power. But, just take a look at all of the feelings that have come and gone in your life or at least have changed around, and let yourself see that feelings are simply, to begin with, not there and then are there and then are not there. This sounds simple but keep watching and seeing that this is true about everything in life. When you can see that more clearly, the things that come into your life won't be as weighing as before.

I am not sure if anything doesn't have a beginning and end. As for the pain: how many times has something been hurting you, even for a long time, and then changed or dissipated? And, then a new pain happens, and then that one has a feeling of forever. Forever, doesn't have a beginning or an end.

To be able to notice that forever is just a thought/ feeling is the beginning of real awareness; which really just means real happiness.

Is?

Is a question you can ask yourself to bring more self awareness. 

How we think often increases stress. For example, you banged your foot; it sucks; it's stopping you from doing all sorts of things you used to do; and you just don't like it. Out of the above list, which is reality (what is happening) and what is just thought (what is not happening). You banged your foot. That's how it is, and for awhile you may not be able to do what you normally do. This is an example of fact. What thought adds is all the other stuff such as "I don't like it and want it to go away," mixed with the daunting thought of "maybe it will last forever." But, how does that help us with the pain?

It doesn't, but none-the-less that is how thought works. It makes up things, fabricates. Thought may think things like, "if I don't like it and try to get rid of it, I will then be better off". But, if you watch it from a kind of outside view, you will clearly see that there is fact (pain in foot) and then something extra is added that is causing stress (thought). This is not say that you shouldn't take action if something is bothering you but just productive action.

Seeing a pain in the body and then seeing the thoughts that surround the pain, can really help clarify things and lighten us up. There is the pain and then there is thought about the pain. The pain is what is happening; thought is just commenting.

All of this is not to say that we should try and stop thought from doing what it naturally does but to become aware of it's process; it's conditioning; it's power to fabricate. Trying to stop thought is often a route that we try but that is just more thought. Thus, thought just continues on thinking, but now it's thinking about trying to stop thought.

The focus in your life will change often. For example, one month/day/year it's your foot that feels painful but then changes to your shoulder and then changes to an issue with a family member. The issues will keep changing but thought reacts in a very familiar way. Getting to know how thought works is the way to not get lost in it. Here is an example: there is a whole in the ground about 10 meters in front of you, but it's been camouflaged, and you can't see it. It's inevitable that you will fall in it. But, if there is a sign just before the hole that completely announces it, then you won't fall in. This is like if you know thought. If you know how thought works and are clear about it's methods, then you won't get lost in it. And, oppositely, if you don't know how thought works, then you will definitely fall into it. For example, a thought arises filled with worry about something and you notice right away, thus not falling into it and beginning to worry. But, if you don't notice this thought right away, you will fall into it and begin to worry. (Worry is about things that have not happened and may never happen)

Knowing thought well will allow you to be free from being lost in thought, not by stopping it but by just letting it be and remaining with what is fact, actually happening. The weight that is lifted from seeing that 'thought is just thought' is tremendous. But you will have to see this for yourself.

So much of our precious time on earth is spent simply going around and around in thought. The whole notion of forever is just an idea. But to really know that, we must pay attention in a calm but focused manner.

Bringing awareness to our lives by doing a short meditation every day, one that allows us to see that thought, feelings and/or the body are constantly moving around and shifting, mixed with a general daily awareness of what was just said above, plus, listening to a wise teacher can help allow you to experience fuller moments. Ones that are less divided, and that feels happy. Remember, the moment is all we have. And, if the moments of life are good, then that is what our lives are made up of.

aware/meditate/listen

Brian Eric Cohen

www.cohenbrian.wix.com/awaremeditatelisten

Truth, meditation, old and modern

Sometimes the idea of meditation is one where you try not to think at all, and you are completely focused on an object such as the breath or a mantra. And, if thoughts come in or you lose your focus then you made a mistake or did it wrong. This idea reflects a traditional style of meditation, one that can bring some moments of peace or for taking a rest, but soon as the meditation session ends normal life comes rushing back in.

The meditation that I would like to suggest, and the one that I feel is more conducive to modern society, can bring you a deeper, more pervasive peace that results results from knowing the truth. This type is known as wisdom meditation.

The truth that you come to know is that everything changes; there’s no real true owner of anything; and that true satisfaction can not be found in anything. This type of meditation helps you really see this, and can bring the kind of peace that meditation is famous for.

Try out this type of meditation for yourself. When you sit and focus on an object, don't try and hold it still. The nature of attention and thought is to move around. Let it do exactly that and get to know it. Every time your awareness goes off, be aware of just that. It didn't go off because you wanted it to or planned it; it just did. And then bring attention back to your object and continue watching. Try to watch in a way that doesn't impede this process by not over focusing. You can do this meditation anywhere because you don't need to sit in a special position, although you can, and you don't need to be in a peaceful or quiet place. This can make it more conducive to today's busy society.

Simple explanation: sit and relax in a comfortable position and from a focal point such as your breath or mantra just watch what's going on; that's enough.

Try this out and if you have any questions just ask me.

Brian Eric Cohen
www.cohenbrian.wix.com/AwareMeditateListen

See if you can see change

The subject of what troubles you changes a lot, but the pattern of something troubling you comes up very often. But, what is absolutely true is that when it comes up it also goes down, every time. When something is troubling you it seems to be very important. It seems like the issue must be solved or else it will become stuck or permanent in some way. But, it never ceases to not change. So why do we take it so seriously if we know it will just change anyways?

This is it's nature: it comes in, feels so serious, and then goes.

The way out of this repeating pattern is to see exactly how it works. And to see how it works, you have to watch it. But you must watch it in a way that doesn't impede in it any way. The pattern must been seen as it is. Also, trying to stop it, re-arrange, fix it, get away from it, and so on, are just things that stop you from seeing it clearly.

To begin watching just simply notice that the subject of what troubles you changes. For example, one day you are worried about your job but then that changes, and the next week it changes to worrying about a strange feeling in your leg. This is change. Don't try too hard to notice every change but just casually take notice of it. Let this process/practice take time; you don't need to rush it. In fact, rushing it will impede your progression. Also, just notice the contrast between when you are thinking about something that is troubling you and then when you are not. For example, one moment you are deep in thought, feeling troubled, and then a minute later it has recessed. Just continue noticing until you really know that it's always changing; therein lies true peace.

To help you a long, practice a meditation that focuses on seeing change. Pick a point, such as the breath at your nose or a mantra. Begin by focusing on your object in a very easy and casual way, don't try to hold too tightly because you won't be able to see all the change. So, your focusing on your object and in the next moment your off thinking. That's it. The focus was on and then off. That's the point. All day, all your life, your focus jumps around and changes, It goes off to thoughts, emotions, body feelings, and so on. You may be focusing on your object and then the focus slides off an goes down to your foot. Or, perhaps you hear something, like a car, and your starting thinking about it, and then that leads to thinking about something else. When you notice this is happening, just go back to your object. Change and seeing the change is happening is the point. That's a great practice.

Letting yourself see that what troubles you is always changing can be difficult. The desire to think more about it, really just results in hanging on to it. We often want to delve face first into the problem and completely solve it, get rid of it. This makes sense to us but is just part of the pattern. And, you can know this by watching how it works within yourself. Actually, really solving all your mental problems is not the goal. What's important to the pattern is to keep going and doing the same thing over and over with different subjects.

This practice will shake your self image because your self image is based on the falsity that you are not changing in some way. You can just take notice of this, and keeping going.

To see things more clearly is only something that you can do for yourself.

If you have any more questions, let me know and we can discuss it.

Brian Eric Cohen
www.cohenbrian.wix.com/awaremeditatelisten

What is meditation like?

Meditation is like observation in order to begin seeing the truth of nature.

What it is that we observe is our mind and body. Our day-to- day lives are comprised of things involving the body and mind (thoughts and emotions). For example, we wake up in the morning (that's our body); then perhaps we reflect on if it was a good sleep or not (mind); we then hear a bird chirping (hearing, our body); then we might either dislike the chirping, be indifferent, or like it (mind). Or maybe we identify what kind of bird it is (mind). The whole day goes like this, and that is the human experience. We eat something (body), how we feel about this or that (mind), working (mind giving our body instructions such as open the computer and find this or that file), and so on.

Next, what is the nature of the mind and body? What do we observe for?

The nature of the mind and body is that it's always in constant flux. It's out of your control, and it's not satisfying. This is what we observe for: to see those truths.

Why do we do this? The aim is to achieve happiness. Not a happiness that depends on a mood or what's taking place in our lives, but rather a happiness that is just happy.

How does observation lead to happiness? It's because it's freeing - freedom from holding on to our mind and body as something personal. I don't mean that we should change our thinking process to fit that. For example, "I now think that my mind and body is not something personal." Not at all. What you end up seeing from observing our minds and bodies is that they are just a part of nature and therefore follow the three characteristics that I mentioned above. When you open up to that truth -- that is happy. The Buddha would say that it's the "end of suffering."

Brian Eric Cohen
www.cohenbrian.wix.com/awaremeditatelisten

Edited by: Jeff Kirschner, and check out his site:
www.reallyawfulmovies.com

Be here now?

Be here now? What does that mean? It’s said and it seems to make sense. Simply be in the moment and do whatever you are doing fully.

But the question is, what does that really mean?

If you take a look at yourself and what is going on in the present moment, you'll only find elements that are constantly changing. The body is alive, which means that it's never frozen in any way. There is no doubt that the body is in constant motion. I’m not just talking about actual movement that you can see, such as moving your arms, walking, eating, talking, brushing your teeth and so on. But the actual body itself is comprised of elements that are always in motion. If you took a look through a microscope at any part of the body, you would find it in constant motion. If you take a closer look, the same could also be found in all the objects that surround us, such as a stone. Granted, a stone isn't alive as we are, with a personality and a heartbeat, but nonetheless, it’s never in a frozen, inactive state. And looking even further into what’s around us, you'll see that everything derives from nature; wood, different metals, oil (plastic), rubber, cotton, synthetics (which on closer look is all formed from nature by mixing this element with that element). Take, for example, your smart phone. What is it made of? It's made of materials from nature and was put together in a very specific order to make the phone, but at no point is anything from nature not in movement. 

In the larger picture of nature, we look to see the constant motion of the universe: the earth, the sun, the stars, the light, the wind, the seas and oceans and so on. Everything is merely one big collection of elements in motion. 

The other major part of what is going on in the now are thoughts and emotions. The nature of both of these things is change. Take a look for yourself at your thoughts and notice how they come in and then go. Just the fact that they come in means that they are transitory. There has never been a thought that just comes in, remains the same and never leaves nor changes. Examine those thoughts that seem to be persistent and see if they don’t follow suit. The same can be said about emotions. You may feel happy for a time, but later you may feel sad. This means that at some point, your happiness changed and was replaced with sadness. I say replaced because when you feel really sad, the happiness appears to have disappeared and visa versa. You will have to take a look within yourself to see if anything I am saying is true or not. Even if it what I am saying makes sense to you, who knows if it's really the absolute truth. 

And now back to the beginning: Be here now, what that means, and why it's beneficial. To begin with, picture yourself as just a space in which nothing remains that same, everything just comes and goes. It may seem like there is something sort of permanent about you, but there is no evidence of that, only a thought that says that is so. Begin to take notice of what I am talking about here and see this for yourself. You can take notice of the body changing: Birth, aging, sickness, health, fat, thin, wounds, scars, hungry, thirsty, talking, blinking, swallowing, typing, looking, feeling and so on. And you can take notice of the mind changing: Thoughts, worries, happy, sad, considering, wanting, satiated, good feelings, bad feelings, positive, negative or neutral thoughts and on and on. For example, last week you were feeling very bad about a colleague of yours, but this week something has changed. They quit and you know no longer work in close quarters with them. Those negative feelings will slowly dissipate because the cause is gone. And, without a cause, a thought or emotion can’t continue, life moves on and new thoughts arise. And then they're the new focus and seemingly the most important.

Why is being here beneficial? It's because you can fully experience everything that happens without getting lost in any of it. So, at no point is there any weight on your shoulders since the heaviness of life just isn't there. This isn't to say that you don't care about anything, but rather that you know the truth that everything that comes also goes. And in addition, you will know that trying to hold onto something, anything, just stops the natural flow of things, and that will inevitably cause some level of discomfort or pain.

AwareMeditateListen

Brian Eric Cohen

www.cohenbrian.wix.com/awaremeditatlisten

Edited by: Jeff Kirschner, and check out his site:
www.reallyawfulmovies.com