Fundamental Shift » Meditation http://fundamental-shift.com Bringing our awareness to some small things can bring a fundamental shift in awareness and understanding. This shift can deeply transform our maps of the world, and bring deep meaning to our lives. Mon, 17 May 2010 17:29:06 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 ©Rob Scott rob@fundamental-shift.com (Rob Scott) rob@fundamental-shift.com(Rob Scott) Philosophy 1440 relationship,depression,coach,spirit,addiction,meditation,evolution,leadership,podcast,breath,philosophy,goal,setting Life does not have to be so complicated. Offering tools and techniques to foster conscious evolution. Rob Scott Rob Scott rob@fundamental-shift.com No no http://fundamental-shift.com/wp-content/themes/fundamental/images/logo.png Fundamental Shift http://fundamental-shift.com 144 144 Implementing Spiritual Teachings http://fundamental-shift.com/implementing-spiritual-teachings.html http://fundamental-shift.com/implementing-spiritual-teachings.html#comments Fri, 07 Mar 2008 23:05:52 +0000 Rob Scott http://fundamental-shift.com/implementing-spiritual-teachings.html What does it mean to be spiritual today? In this podcast Rob Scott and Kerri Kannan discuss how to implement spiritual teachings in a down to earth and realistic way. This interview is from a show that Kerri runs called World Awakened on Blog Talk Radio.

Topics covered include:

It’s a great interview and I was really happy that Kerri invited me to be on her show. Give it a listen.

]]> http://fundamental-shift.com/implementing-spiritual-teachings.html/feed 0 00:01:01 What does it mean to be spiritual today? In this podcast Rob Scott and Kerri Kannan discuss how to implement spiritual teachings in a ... What does it mean to be spiritual today? In this podcast Rob Scott and Kerri Kannan discuss how to implement spiritual teachings in a down to earth and realistic way. This interview is from a show that Kerri runs called World Awakened on Blog Talk Radio. Topics covered include: Beginning to Work With Our Mind Gratitude Practice Learning to Meditate Using Visualization Shadow Work The Power of Journaling The Power of Questions Learning to Surrender Doing it all Effortlessly and more... It's a great interview and I was really happy that Kerri invited me to be on her show. Give it a listen. Meditation,,Shadow,Work,,Vision,Creation Rob Scott no No Do You Have A Practice http://fundamental-shift.com/do-you-have-a-practice.html http://fundamental-shift.com/do-you-have-a-practice.html#comments Sun, 29 Apr 2007 16:25:00 +0000 Rob Scott http://fundamental-shift.com/?p=100 This talk is meant to suggest the importance of a regular meditation practice. The pull of the world, and the normal distractions and natural egoic self builders don’t remind us that we need to see that there is more than thought. There is experience. We can exist without our minds running all the time. We can train a state experience that fulfills us deeply and gives us many other perspectives on how to live, what is important, and how we can behave with one another. We need to practice daily however. We need to train the mind in this new way of understanding. If you are not training your mind, you may not see when you get lost again. You may not be as aware as you can be of your own belief structures that can limit and ultimately harm you.

Our world is aware for the first time of the entirety of itself. With our news media being global, we are able to see the natural horrors that occur from time to time. We also get to see, possibly too deeply, the unnatural horrors as well. Many people wonder what can we do about these things. What will help us understand these tragedies? We want to figure it out, with our minds. But I suggest that the best thing to do is to learn to put the mind down. Learn to sit in stillness.

As we see our own structures more and more, we are helping others resonate in that way. As humans become more aware of themselves, our language about what is important can change. The words presence, and stillness start to have more gravity. As we see ourselves, we see other people as well, and we might just notice when someone is in need of attention, or help. Disasters will continue to occur of course, but we can contextualize them, and perhaps not be as fearful of them because we can see that there is depth in sorrow, and joy in the ordinary. And that life is not set in any definite pattern.

If you are interested in self growth, I humbly suggest you commit to a daily meditation practice. The benefits are enormous. But more than that as a selling point, I want to say that if we talk about growing, but don’t do the work, we may still be just as lost as those that haven’t woken up at all.

Song: Soup by Blind Melon

]]> http://fundamental-shift.com/do-you-have-a-practice.html/feed 0 00:01:01 This talk is meant to suggest the importance of a regular meditation practice. The pull of the world, and the normal distractions and natural ... This talk is meant to suggest the importance of a regular meditation practice. The pull of the world, and the normal distractions and natural egoic self builders don't remind us that we need to see that there is more than thought. There is experience. We can exist without our minds running all the time. We can train a state experience that fulfills us deeply and gives us many other perspectives on how to live, what is important, and how we can behave with one another. We need to practice daily however. We need to train the mind in this new way of understanding. If you are not training your mind, you may not see when you get lost again. You may not be as aware as you can be of your own belief structures that can limit and ultimately harm you. Our world is aware for the first time of the entirety of itself. With our news media being global, we are able to see the natural horrors that occur from time to time. We also get to see, possibly too deeply, the unnatural horrors as well. Many people wonder what can we do about these things. What will help us understand these tragedies? We want to figure it out, with our minds. But I suggest that the best thing to do is to learn to put the mind down. Learn to sit in stillness. As we see our own structures more and more, we are helping others resonate in that way. As humans become more aware of themselves, our language about what is important can change. The words presence, and stillness start to have more gravity. As we see ourselves, we see other people as well, and we might just notice when someone is in need of attention, or help. Disasters will continue to occur of course, but we can contextualize them, and perhaps not be as fearful of them because we can see that there is depth in sorrow, and joy in the ordinary. And that life is not set in any definite pattern. If you are interested in self growth, I humbly suggest you commit to a daily meditation practice. The benefits are enormous. But more than that as a selling point, I want to say that if we talk about growing, but don't do the work, we may still be just as lost as those that haven't woken up at all. Song: Soup by Blind Melon Meditation,,Staying,Motivated Rob Scott no No Do We Change The World Or Accept It http://fundamental-shift.com/do-we-change-the-world-or-accept-it.html http://fundamental-shift.com/do-we-change-the-world-or-accept-it.html#comments Mon, 26 Feb 2007 16:09:00 +0000 Rob Scott http://fundamental-shift.com/?p=95 Surrendering to the moment is a very important teaching. Learning to accept what is, is one of the fundamentals of growing spiritually. So if acceptance is fundamental to this teaching, then why do all these teachers want to change what is? Why are they unable or unwilling to accept the world in its perfection exactly as it is? Teaching is asking people to be different than they are. Why don’t all the teachers just accept the current state of understanding and move on?

This is a really great question, and points out a large logic problem with all this teaching business, and what enlightenment means. Do we want to change the world, or learn to accept it? The answer really is both. And the important clarification is the misunderstanding that to become enlightened is to blindly accept everything. That is not necessarily what enlightenment, or growth is about. Accepting absolutely everything would leave us motionless. That idea of stillness is an illusion. To a mind that is trying to manage state experience only, that would make perfect sense, and hence be a very attractive thing to try to attain. But that attraction is the same attachment that’s in any other form of desire. So what is this growth or enlightenment we’re talking about?

Integral theory and spiral dynamics talk about the difference between states and stages. And while a full explanation of the difference is beyond today’s talk, I will say that we are definitely trying for deeper states of consciousness, but also (and possibly more importantly) higher stages of development. Each stage is a level of attachment. It is a set of beliefs, or a paradigm that we walk through and act from. So the idea is not that we are trying to stay peaceful, or joyful, or happy all the time (which would be a state experience only, and doesn’t happen), but rather we are trying to walk through these larger stages of development (which would lead to more and more wisdom, durability, capability, and hence better state management as well). We try to become identified with larger and larger portions of reality.

So no matter what stage we’re currently identified with, what can we do to work within this paradox? At what point is our own attachment to change, or to an idea of something better, a problem? It is compassionate when we want to help someone else with their pain. But we begin to get lost when we insist on their growth or begin to get attached to it. Work to explain things you understand to those who don’t understand it, but don’t get attached to the outcome. Be mindful of your attachments, especially when they are masked with change for the “good” of something. Change and creation is always occurring with or without our intention. Be involved in that change to whatever degree you want to be, but know that acceptance is always available to you, and use it well. We have the ability to change what is (the external), but we also have the ability to change instead what we are (the internal) to acceptance.

Referenced: Integral Theory

]]> http://fundamental-shift.com/do-we-change-the-world-or-accept-it.html/feed 0 00:01:01 Surrendering to the moment is a very important teaching. Learning to accept what is, is one of the fundamentals of growing spiritually. So ... Surrendering to the moment is a very important teaching. Learning to accept what is, is one of the fundamentals of growing spiritually. So if acceptance is fundamental to this teaching, then why do all these teachers want to change what is? Why are they unable or unwilling to accept the world in its perfection exactly as it is? Teaching is asking people to be different than they are. Why don't all the teachers just accept the current state of understanding and move on? This is a really great question, and points out a large logic problem with all this teaching business, and what enlightenment means. Do we want to change the world, or learn to accept it? The answer really is both. And the important clarification is the misunderstanding that to become enlightened is to blindly accept everything. That is not necessarily what enlightenment, or growth is about. Accepting absolutely everything would leave us motionless. That idea of stillness is an illusion. To a mind that is trying to manage state experience only, that would make perfect sense, and hence be a very attractive thing to try to attain. But that attraction is the same attachment that's in any other form of desire. So what is this growth or enlightenment we're talking about? Integral theory and spiral dynamics talk about the difference between states and stages. And while a full explanation of the difference is beyond today's talk, I will say that we are definitely trying for deeper states of consciousness, but also (and possibly more importantly) higher stages of development. Each stage is a level of attachment. It is a set of beliefs, or a paradigm that we walk through and act from. So the idea is not that we are trying to stay peaceful, or joyful, or happy all the time (which would be a state experience only, and doesn't happen), but rather we are trying to walk through these larger stages of development (which would lead to more and more wisdom, durability, capability, and hence better state management as well). We try to become identified with larger and larger portions of reality. So no matter what stage we're currently identified with, what can we do to work within this paradox? At what point is our own attachment to change, or to an idea of something better, a problem? It is compassionate when we want to help someone else with their pain. But we begin to get lost when we insist on their growth or begin to get attached to it. Work to explain things you understand to those who don't understand it, but don't get attached to the outcome. Be mindful of your attachments, especially when they are masked with change for the "good" of something. Change and creation is always occurring with or without our intention. Be involved in that change to whatever degree you want to be, but know that acceptance is always available to you, and use it well. We have the ability to change what is (the external), but we also have the ability to change instead what we are (the internal) to acceptance. Referenced: Integral Theory Authentic,Living,,Meditation Rob Scott no No Bring It Back To The Breath http://fundamental-shift.com/bring-it-back-to-the-breath.html http://fundamental-shift.com/bring-it-back-to-the-breath.html#comments Tue, 22 Aug 2006 04:44:00 +0000 Rob Scott http://fundamental-shift.com/?p=71 In this show I promise not to be too deep. Today I spend a few moments fostering presence with you. I open with a couple of conscious breaths, then onto examples of, and reasons for, bringing your focus back to your breath. I end mentioning that in regard to any learning, we deeply need to apply what we learn. Learning alone isn’t enough. Without application, it’s just spin.

Fostering presence will be the next evolution of man. Join in that evolution by bringing your attention back to your breath.

]]> http://fundamental-shift.com/bring-it-back-to-the-breath.html/feed 0 00:01:01 In this show I promise not to be too deep. Today I spend a few moments fostering presence with you. I open with ... In this show I promise not to be too deep. Today I spend a few moments fostering presence with you. I open with a couple of conscious breaths, then onto examples of, and reasons for, bringing your focus back to your breath. I end mentioning that in regard to any learning, we deeply need to apply what we learn. Learning alone isn't enough. Without application, it's just spin. Fostering presence will be the next evolution of man. Join in that evolution by bringing your attention back to your breath. Meditation Rob Scott no No Doing It In The Now http://fundamental-shift.com/doing-it-in-the-now.html http://fundamental-shift.com/doing-it-in-the-now.html#comments Mon, 19 Jun 2006 12:22:00 +0000 Rob Scott http://fundamental-shift.com/?p=62 It seems many people want to get the idea of what enlightenment looks like.  We’re all trying to "figure it out."  I get many emails discussing understanding these ideas.  This podcast is about doing them instead.

The "Now" has become very trendy.  So let’s not get lost in ideas about it.  We even have great philosophical minds telling us we don’t have time to be in the now, which is a bit ridiculous.  What I think they are saying is that we shouldn’t be trendy about the Now.  

Because we can play with words and ideas and labels at this level we should see that we will never "figure it out."  Rather we should look at the desire that we have to figure it out.  The idea of how to do this is less important than doing it.  Our minds want to become experts, and so we look at all the possibilities of "getting lost" so that we can be sure that we will win "when those things show up."  But that state of mind is already lost.  The waiting, thinking, planning mind is exactly the mind we are trying to put down.

Someone comes across the idea of being at peace.  And they are listening to these podcasts, and trying to meditate.  And they realize they are not at peace.  The mind that is trying to get to peace is lost in time.  The mind that wants to "DO" peace is the mind that puts down expectations.  This may feel very unnatural to us.  We want to figure it out instead.

So when we "DO" peace, when we allow for peace of mind by coming to this moment, whatever it is, we are doing it "all the time".  Because we start to realize that now is all there is.  

The important concept is this: getting to this moment "is the end of it", EVEN if we leave this moment.  Sounds like a cop out, and is hard to get your mind around, but it’s the truth.

So let’s look at the actuality of living in the Now.  We don’t care if we can do it permanently, because that is another idea.  We just want to do it now.  When we come to the Now in this moment (whenever that is), we realize that this moment is always here.  So that is all we have to do.  The mind will kick up again and say things like "You won’t be able to do that in the future."  And that may even knock us off a bit, but seeing that once we DO come back, there is no tally of how long we’ve been gone.  So doing it now IS doing it forever.  Because the illusion is the mind that creates a future that doesn’t exist.

So doing it in the now is as simple as coming to what you are, your breath, this moment, the sounds, the fears, the whatever, without worrying if you can do it again later.  If you’re doing it now, you’re doing it forever.

Referenced: Pema Chodron, Eckhart Tolle

]]> http://fundamental-shift.com/doing-it-in-the-now.html/feed 0 00:01:01 It seems many people want to get the idea of what enlightenment looks like.#160; We're all trying to #34;figure it out.#34;#160; I get many emails ... It seems many people want to get the idea of what enlightenment looks like.#160; We're all trying to #34;figure it out.#34;#160; I get many emails discussing understanding these ideas.#160; This podcast is about doing them instead. The #34;Now#34; has become very trendy.#160; So let's not get lost in ideas about it.#160; We even have great philosophical minds telling us we don't have time to be in the now, which is a bit ridiculous.#160; What I think they are saying is that we shouldn't be trendy about the Now. #160; Because we can play with words and ideas and labels at this level we should see that we will never #34;figure it out.#34;#160; Rather we should look at the desire that we have to figure it out.#160; The idea of how to do this is less important than doing it.#160; Our minds want to become experts, and so we look at all the possibilities of #34;getting lost#34; so that we can be sure that we will win #34;when those things show up.#34;#160; But that state of mind is already lost.#160; The waiting, thinking, planning mind is exactly the mind we are trying to put down. Someone comes across the idea of being at peace.#160; And they are listening to these podcasts, and trying to meditate.#160; And they realize they are not at peace.#160; The mind that is trying to get to peace is lost in time.#160; The mind that wants to #34;DO#34; peace is the mind that puts down expectations.#160; This may feel very unnatural to us.#160; We want to figure it out instead. So when we #34;DO#34; peace, when we allow for peace of mind by coming to this moment, whatever it is, we are doing it #34;all the time#34;.#160; Because we start to realize that now is all there is. #160; The important concept is this: getting to this moment #34;is the end of it#34;, EVEN if we leave this moment.#160; Sounds like a cop out, and is hard to get your mind around, but it's the truth. So let's look at the actuality of living in the Now.#160; We don't care if we can do it permanently, because that is another idea.#160; We just want to do it now.#160; When we come to the Now in this moment (whenever that is), we realize that this moment is always here.#160; So that is all we have to do.#160; The mind will kick up again and say things like #34;You won't be able to do that in the future.#34;#160; And that may even knock us off a bit, but seeing that once we DO come back, there is no tally of how long we've been gone.#160; So doing it now IS doing it forever.#160; Because the illusion is the mind that creates a future that doesn't exist. So doing it in the now is as simple as coming to what you are, your breath, this moment, the sounds, the fears, the whatever, without worrying if you can do it again later.#160; If you're doing it now, you're doing it forever. Referenced: Pema Chodron, Eckhart Tolle Meditation,,Staying,Motivated Rob Scott no No Guided Meditation – Sort Of http://fundamental-shift.com/guided-meditation-sort-of.html http://fundamental-shift.com/guided-meditation-sort-of.html#comments Mon, 27 Mar 2006 04:29:00 +0000 Rob Scott http://fundamental-shift.com/?p=50 Meditation is the realization of this moment. The “practice of meditation” is the sitting down to work on this before it becomes fully natural to live that way. To abstract it further, we can use anchors such as counting, visualization, and pointed awareness to help bring our attention to our breath.

I’d like you to stay as present as possible during this talk, but I will be talking much more than a normal guided meditation, hence the “sort of” in the title. I want to show you different ways to meditate and use ideas to help find stillness. Please look for other guided meditations as there are many good ones out there.

Set the intention of spending this time to work with your mind and thoughts. Be committed during your practice time to coming back to your experience, back to your breath no matter what thoughts arise.

Stillness is the quality of listening. Notice when we start adding thought, or content, and see how that is not listening. When we notice this, we come back to our breath and pay attention, or “listen” to the moment. That is the quality of meditation.

Work with counting. We learn to use anchors until stillness is loud enough within us. So we place our thinking on something we can see, and judge (counting). Count on the in breath for a while, then the out breath for a while, then both. This is also a good way to time yourself if you don’t have a clock. You can commit to a certain number of breaths.

Be sure to notice and work with the energy underneath the breath. We mentioned that everything is in the breath, all sounds, etc. The breath is really just a link to what is. Open to the energy underneath the breath.

Work with closed eyes, and finding a sensation, then watch opening our eyes and trying to hold that sensation. Did it go away? The content changed, can we hold onto that stillness, that sensation?

A more mature practice is just breath, then thinking, then breath. We come back again and again as we think. We start by learning the landscape of thought.

Another anchor is shifting attention to something small, like just the opening of the mouth and nose while breathing. Later we open it to the bigger full breath from mouth to stomach and back out. Eventually we can start to move the energy all around the body. We’ll discuss that more in another talk.

I mentioned that there are things that help practicing meditation. Committing to a certain area, and using a seat and timer can be a help. One place online to buy meditation gear is Amida: http://www.ami-da.com.

Lastly, we don’t need to spend a lot of time meditating. Just a few minutes is useful to bring us back to center. Sitting in the morning and evening for three to five minutes can have a profound affect on your life. I call it bookending your day with meditation.

]]> http://fundamental-shift.com/guided-meditation-sort-of.html/feed 3 00:01:01 Meditation is the realization of this moment. The "practice of meditation" is the sitting down to work on this before it becomes fully natural ... Meditation is the realization of this moment. The "practice of meditation" is the sitting down to work on this before it becomes fully natural to live that way. To abstract it further, we can use anchors such as counting, visualization, and pointed awareness to help bring our attention to our breath. I'd like you to stay as present as possible during this talk, but I will be talking much more than a normal guided meditation, hence the "sort of" in the title. I want to show you different ways to meditate and use ideas to help find stillness. Please look for other guided meditations as there are many good ones out there. Set the intention of spending this time to work with your mind and thoughts. Be committed during your practice time to coming back to your experience, back to your breath no matter what thoughts arise. Stillness is the quality of listening. Notice when we start adding thought, or content, and see how that is not listening. When we notice this, we come back to our breath and pay attention, or "listen" to the moment. That is the quality of meditation. Work with counting. We learn to use anchors until stillness is loud enough within us. So we place our thinking on something we can see, and judge (counting). Count on the in breath for a while, then the out breath for a while, then both. This is also a good way to time yourself if you don't have a clock. You can commit to a certain number of breaths. Be sure to notice and work with the energy underneath the breath. We mentioned that everything is in the breath, all sounds, etc. The breath is really just a link to what is. Open to the energy underneath the breath. Work with closed eyes, and finding a sensation, then watch opening our eyes and trying to hold that sensation. Did it go away? The content changed, can we hold onto that stillness, that sensation? A more mature practice is just breath, then thinking, then breath. We come back again and again as we think. We start by learning the landscape of thought. Another anchor is shifting attention to something small, like just the opening of the mouth and nose while breathing. Later we open it to the bigger full breath from mouth to stomach and back out. Eventually we can start to move the energy all around the body. We'll discuss that more in another talk. I mentioned that there are things that help practicing meditation. Committing to a certain area, and using a seat and timer can be a help. One place online to buy meditation gear is Amida: http://www.ami-da.com. Lastly, we don't need to spend a lot of time meditating. Just a few minutes is useful to bring us back to center. Sitting in the morning and evening for three to five minutes can have a profound affect on your life. I call it bookending your day with meditation. Meditation Rob Scott no No The Beauty of an Itch http://fundamental-shift.com/the-beauty-of-an-itch.html http://fundamental-shift.com/the-beauty-of-an-itch.html#comments Mon, 20 Feb 2006 01:58:00 +0000 Rob Scott http://fundamental-shift.com/?p=45 In this talk we widened the definition of an itch to include not only physical itches, but also emotional and mental bothers as well.

How can an itch be beautiful? We described actually enjoying an itch. Diving into the feeling without judgment allows us to experience itches in a different way. Energy then actually becomes literally beautiful.

Another way to see the beauty in an itch is to realize that they are the largest anchor there is. We use bothers, and itches as reminders to bring our attention back to the moment, back to our breath.

We don’t want to be itch free, we want to be itch proof. The itches don’t stop coming, so being itch free is unrealistic. But we can learn to be itch proof. We can be strong, and fearless. We can learn to sit through bothers.

Itches actually become the beauty of life. To start, we need to become aware of what we sit through now and what we run from. We need to become honest with ourselves about what moves us around.

Itch/scratch is the iconic representation of pleasure and pain. The immediate urge to “scratch,” or the rushed push to fix a “problem” is one of our most limiting qualities. The itch is a bother and we want it gone. That very behavior, in its many facets, is our core problem.

We need to learn to become awake when things bother or itch us. Introduction to anchors was one easy way of staying connected, but the biggest anchor is the itch itself. We should learn to deal with itches, bothers, and problems rather than run from them.

We can and should scratch an itch when our attention should be elsewhere, like a conversation. Just try to be mindful when we do. But while we should be kind with ourselves, we can also be honest and realize that as we are bothered to scratch we are at times asleep. We can learn, “Oh, maybe I should have watched that itch for a bit. Maybe I could have learned from that.” We will see as we become more honest with ourselves that we are at different times more asleep than we thought.

Show music: Consolidated Mojo by Billy Boy Arnold

]]> http://fundamental-shift.com/the-beauty-of-an-itch.html/feed 0 00:01:01 In this talk we widened the definition of an itch to include not only physical itches, but also emotional and mental bothers as well. ... In this talk we widened the definition of an itch to include not only physical itches, but also emotional and mental bothers as well. How can an itch be beautiful? We described actually enjoying an itch. Diving into the feeling without judgment allows us to experience itches in a different way. Energy then actually becomes literally beautiful. Another way to see the beauty in an itch is to realize that they are the largest anchor there is. We use bothers, and itches as reminders to bring our attention back to the moment, back to our breath. We don't want to be itch free, we want to be itch proof. The itches don't stop coming, so being itch free is unrealistic. But we can learn to be itch proof. We can be strong, and fearless. We can learn to sit through bothers. Itches actually become the beauty of life. To start, we need to become aware of what we sit through now and what we run from. We need to become honest with ourselves about what moves us around. Itch/scratch is the iconic representation of pleasure and pain. The immediate urge to "scratch," or the rushed push to fix a "problem" is one of our most limiting qualities. The itch is a bother and we want it gone. That very behavior, in its many facets, is our core problem. We need to learn to become awake when things bother or itch us. Introduction to anchors was one easy way of staying connected, but the biggest anchor is the itch itself. We should learn to deal with itches, bothers, and problems rather than run from them. We can and should scratch an itch when our attention should be elsewhere, like a conversation. Just try to be mindful when we do. But while we should be kind with ourselves, we can also be honest and realize that as we are bothered to scratch we are at times asleep. We can learn, "Oh, maybe I should have watched that itch for a bit. Maybe I could have learned from that." We will see as we become more honest with ourselves that we are at different times more asleep than we thought. Show music: Consolidated Mojo by Billy Boy Arnold Meditation Rob Scott no No Using Anchors http://fundamental-shift.com/using-anchors.html http://fundamental-shift.com/using-anchors.html#comments Sun, 12 Feb 2006 22:28:00 +0000 Rob Scott http://fundamental-shift.com/?p=44 What are anchors? The dictionary defines an anchor as something that is the source of security or stability. I’m discussing using things that occur in the world as reminders to bring your attention back to the moment, or back to awareness.

Examples of anchors are things like:
    Going through doorways.
    When we walk somewhere.
    When we listen to people.

Why use anchors? It is a way to bring stillness into the everyday experience. Many people learn to meditate on a seat, but have difficulty bringing that peace into the world they live in. Using anchors is the beginning of that practice.

Stillness is available anytime. Use anchors to learn that truth.

]]> http://fundamental-shift.com/using-anchors.html/feed 0 00:01:01 What are anchors? The dictionary defines an anchor as something that is the source of security or stability. I'm discussing using things that ... What are anchors? The dictionary defines an anchor as something that is the source of security or stability. I'm discussing using things that occur in the world as reminders to bring your attention back to the moment, or back to awareness. Examples of anchors are things like: #160; #160; Going through doorways. #160; #160; When we walk somewhere. #160; #160; When we listen to people. Why use anchors? It is a way to bring stillness into the everyday experience. Many people learn to meditate on a seat, but have difficulty bringing that peace into the world they live in. Using anchors is the beginning of that practice. Stillness is available anytime. Use anchors to learn that truth. Meditation Rob Scott no No Busy Mind Defined http://fundamental-shift.com/busy-mind-defined.html http://fundamental-shift.com/busy-mind-defined.html#comments Tue, 17 Jan 2006 03:02:00 +0000 Rob Scott http://fundamental-shift.com/?p=40 Audio track mixed to describe a busy mind.

First step of dealing with a busy mind is to become aware that it is occurring to you.

Next step is to bring your attention back to your breath.

There are many things that make up a busy mind. Emotions, anxieties, fears, joys, etc. You can go down each path to work with your mind, but it’s most important to learn to drop your thoughts. Drop all busyness, even though it may feel like you need to work on the content, it is ok to drop thoughts.

Do we want to spend all our time “busy,” or would we rather find peace and sit in that? We need to learn to be fulfilled.

Busy mind leads us to do things to “ease our pain” in excess (such as watch TV, drink, smoke, etc.). It’s important that we learn the middle path between fixing our problems externally with “aspirin” and sitting with discomfort. We need to learn when to stop chasing our problems.

Who do we really want to be? Would we rather free our minds and grow, learn, and express? Or do we want to let our minds run on and on endlessly?

]]> http://fundamental-shift.com/busy-mind-defined.html/feed 3 00:01:01 Audio track mixed to describe a busy mind. First step of dealing with a busy mind is to become aware that it is occurring ... Audio track mixed to describe a busy mind. First step of dealing with a busy mind is to become aware that it is occurring to you. Next step is to bring your attention back to your breath. There are many things that make up a busy mind. Emotions, anxieties, fears, joys, etc. You can go down each path to work with your mind, but it's most important to learn to drop your thoughts. Drop all busyness, even though it may feel like you need to work on the content, it is ok to drop thoughts. Do we want to spend all our time "busy," or would we rather find peace and sit in that? We need to learn to be fulfilled. Busy mind leads us to do things to "ease our pain" in excess (such as watch TV, drink, smoke, etc.). It's important that we learn the middle path between fixing our problems externally with "aspirin" and sitting with discomfort. We need to learn when to stop chasing our problems. Who do we really want to be? Would we rather free our minds and grow, learn, and express? Or do we want to let our minds run on and on endlessly? Addicted,Mind,,Meditation Rob Scott no No Be Where You Are http://fundamental-shift.com/be-where-you-are.html http://fundamental-shift.com/be-where-you-are.html#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2006 01:46:00 +0000 Rob Scott http://fundamental-shift.com/?p=39 A discussion that begins to talk about ways and times to bring presence into the world. If you practice meditation, these methods will be a good extension of that practice. If you don’t meditate, this will be a good introduction to what meditation is and can be used for.

Mentioned Thich Nat Han and his discussion of doing the dishes mindfully rather than with a busy mind. Also discussed eating mindfully.

Untrained minds will have difficulty being where they are.

Anchors are things that remind us to bring our attention back to the present moment. They remind us to wake up. Anchors discussed in this talk include: Waiting in traffic, waiting in line, eating, doing the dishes, vacuuming, etc.

Gave a brief introduction and instructions on how to do walking meditation.

Lastly, mentioned that if we don’t learn how to be contented where we are, we will never learn to be contented at all.

Referenced: Thich Nhat Hanh

]]> http://fundamental-shift.com/be-where-you-are.html/feed 0 00:01:01 A discussion that begins to talk about ways and times to bring presence into the world. If you practice meditation, these methods will be ... A discussion that begins to talk about ways and times to bring presence into the world. If you practice meditation, these methods will be a good extension of that practice. If you don't meditate, this will be a good introduction to what meditation is and can be used for. Mentioned Thich Nat Han and his discussion of doing the dishes mindfully rather than with a busy mind. Also discussed eating mindfully. Untrained minds will have difficulty being where they are. Anchors are things that remind us to bring our attention back to the present moment. They remind us to wake up. Anchors discussed in this talk include: Waiting in traffic, waiting in line, eating, doing the dishes, vacuuming, etc. Gave a brief introduction and instructions on how to do walking meditation. Lastly, mentioned that if we don't learn how to be contented where we are, we will never learn to be contented at all. Referenced: Thich Nhat Hanh Meditation Rob Scott no No Meditation Introduction http://fundamental-shift.com/meditation-introduction.html http://fundamental-shift.com/meditation-introduction.html#comments Mon, 12 Dec 2005 01:26:00 +0000 Rob Scott http://fundamental-shift.com/?p=36 How to meditate: Bring your attention back to your breath. Repeat as necessary.

Discussed exercise from Eckhart Tolle to show the energy/aliveness underneath experience. Showed that energy as the oneness of being.

Mentioned that five minutes of meditation a day is all we need to get started down a very important road of growth.

Our mind is capable of opening our focus to many things at the same time.

Discussed real life applications for meditation and presence. Use it to work with anger, sadness, physical pain, etc.

Meditation has two qualities. One is where you sit in the stillness of presence. This is where true joy comes from. This is the experience of now. No judgement, etc. The other state is when the mind is busy. This may not be as pleasurable, but this is where we learn. These are the workout reps for the mind. The is where we grow. Notice you are lost in thought and bring your attention back to the breath.

Mentioned Pema Chodron’s quote about the fact that if we knew where our pain came from, we would meditate like our hair was on fire.

Referenced: Eckhart Tolle, Pema Chodron

]]> http://fundamental-shift.com/meditation-introduction.html/feed 3 00:01:01 How to meditate: Bring your attention back to your breath. Repeat as necessary. Discussed exercise from Eckhart Tolle to show the energy/aliveness ... How to meditate: Bring your attention back to your breath. Repeat as necessary. Discussed exercise from Eckhart Tolle to show the energy/aliveness underneath experience. Showed that energy as the oneness of being. Mentioned that five minutes of meditation a day is all we need to get started down a very important road of growth. Our mind is capable of opening our focus to many things at the same time. Discussed real life applications for meditation and presence. Use it to work with anger, sadness, physical pain, etc. Meditation has two qualities. One is where you sit in the stillness of presence. This is where true joy comes from. This is the experience of now. No judgement, etc. The other state is when the mind is busy. This may not be as pleasurable, but this is where we learn. These are the workout reps for the mind. The is where we grow. Notice you are lost in thought and bring your attention back to the breath. Mentioned Pema Chodron's quote about the fact that if we knew where our pain came from, we would meditate like our hair was on fire. Referenced: Eckhart Tolle, Pema Chodron Meditation Rob Scott no No