This really speaks to something I have been noticing and working with - that sense of "all pervasive suffering". Nothing major is "wrong", but it could be different, better. This is not the state of mind that I want to live in or give to the world around me. Lately, I've found that by noticing it and recognizing what is "wrong" in the moment, it shifts - to a sense of more spaciousness and relaxation, and even to acknowledging any humor that I can find in the situation. Thank you for such a relatable and meaningful article!
I think it’s a really big deal, actually, that you’ve decided a state of mind that’s looking for what’s “different, better” is not actually where you want to live — or what you want to offer the world around you. The pursuit of different and better is held up as such an ideal … it’s fairly radical to move in the opposite direction. So is noticing that what’s “wrong” isn’t fixed, and finding humor in the whole situation 🙃 Love this. Thank you for sharing, Ann!
LOVE the comment in the cartoon. It really made me laugh with recognition. Thanks so much for your interesting reflections on everyday life. So helpful.
Gahhh. That cartoon is so relatable, right? Like what do we actually mean when we say that we “want to be present”? If I’m being honest, I mostly mean “I want to be present for the good stuff”, and I’ll check out for the rest, thanks. 🙃 Too bad that’s not how it works. Sigh.
I so look forward to my weekly Laundry post! I haven't had much space lately to sit down to a daily practice, and so I find these newsletters a welcome moment of pause, listen, and reflect.
Awesome. I’m so glad that these weekly posts connect you to your practice through a moment of reflection— even if it’s not formal “butt on the cushion”. Practice comes in many forms. I’m glad it’s useful and thanks for reading 💐
I spent an hour in an eye doctor's waiting room yesterday, annoyed and frustrated, looking at my phone, irritated at the delay. I only wish I had read your Experiencing the Gap the day before. I would (I hope) had a completely different and far more enriching experience. Thank you!
I feel like boiling irritation in a medical waiting room is an experience that unites us all. 😅
I think of the traditional stories of the Buddha sending his arhats to meditate in the charnel grounds (cemeteries) for the very reason that it’s an unpleasant environment that evokes so much aversion. Waiting rooms (to me) are like the skim milk version of charnel grounds. Not ready for the full fat version yet (or maybe ever). 🙃
This teaching has been on my mind for weeks now. I’m in the passenger seat on a long drive…waiting until I get there, so I thought it was a good time to comment! In the back seat, I hear “how many hours left?” And “I’m bored” and I secretly smile. This is good stuff for my kids. Your post reminded me how much fun waiting can be, at least now that I’m an adult practicing mindfulness. To let go of worry. To let go of trying. To let go of rumination. When those go away, there is absolutely nothing wrong in that moment of waiting. In fact there is curiosity and peace… maybe even joy. And considering my family of four is on our way to Disneyland and my 6 and 8 yo girls will be waiting in line after line for the first time there will be so much time to practice the joy of waiting. The extended “non toothache.” Thank you for this teaching ☀️
This really speaks to something I have been noticing and working with - that sense of "all pervasive suffering". Nothing major is "wrong", but it could be different, better. This is not the state of mind that I want to live in or give to the world around me. Lately, I've found that by noticing it and recognizing what is "wrong" in the moment, it shifts - to a sense of more spaciousness and relaxation, and even to acknowledging any humor that I can find in the situation. Thank you for such a relatable and meaningful article!
I think it’s a really big deal, actually, that you’ve decided a state of mind that’s looking for what’s “different, better” is not actually where you want to live — or what you want to offer the world around you. The pursuit of different and better is held up as such an ideal … it’s fairly radical to move in the opposite direction. So is noticing that what’s “wrong” isn’t fixed, and finding humor in the whole situation 🙃 Love this. Thank you for sharing, Ann!
Your words always feel like a good, deep breath 😮💨 🥰
That’s so kind of you to say Laura! Thank you
LOVE the comment in the cartoon. It really made me laugh with recognition. Thanks so much for your interesting reflections on everyday life. So helpful.
Gahhh. That cartoon is so relatable, right? Like what do we actually mean when we say that we “want to be present”? If I’m being honest, I mostly mean “I want to be present for the good stuff”, and I’ll check out for the rest, thanks. 🙃 Too bad that’s not how it works. Sigh.
I so look forward to my weekly Laundry post! I haven't had much space lately to sit down to a daily practice, and so I find these newsletters a welcome moment of pause, listen, and reflect.
Awesome. I’m so glad that these weekly posts connect you to your practice through a moment of reflection— even if it’s not formal “butt on the cushion”. Practice comes in many forms. I’m glad it’s useful and thanks for reading 💐
I spent an hour in an eye doctor's waiting room yesterday, annoyed and frustrated, looking at my phone, irritated at the delay. I only wish I had read your Experiencing the Gap the day before. I would (I hope) had a completely different and far more enriching experience. Thank you!
I feel like boiling irritation in a medical waiting room is an experience that unites us all. 😅
I think of the traditional stories of the Buddha sending his arhats to meditate in the charnel grounds (cemeteries) for the very reason that it’s an unpleasant environment that evokes so much aversion. Waiting rooms (to me) are like the skim milk version of charnel grounds. Not ready for the full fat version yet (or maybe ever). 🙃
This teaching has been on my mind for weeks now. I’m in the passenger seat on a long drive…waiting until I get there, so I thought it was a good time to comment! In the back seat, I hear “how many hours left?” And “I’m bored” and I secretly smile. This is good stuff for my kids. Your post reminded me how much fun waiting can be, at least now that I’m an adult practicing mindfulness. To let go of worry. To let go of trying. To let go of rumination. When those go away, there is absolutely nothing wrong in that moment of waiting. In fact there is curiosity and peace… maybe even joy. And considering my family of four is on our way to Disneyland and my 6 and 8 yo girls will be waiting in line after line for the first time there will be so much time to practice the joy of waiting. The extended “non toothache.” Thank you for this teaching ☀️