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