Awe-some Practice II

From the late Tibetan teacher Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche:

The only way to acquire the great qualities of Enlightenment is to repeat many times the short moment of recognizing mind essence. By practicing many times, we get used to it.

So, how are we able to experience moments of recognizing the pure awareness which is the nature of our minds? It seems almost impossible to be aware of awareness during our busy days when our activities, thoughts, and feelings seem to hold our attention firmly. This is where the ‘homework’ comes into play.

Well, it is not exactly ‘homework’, but more like ‘practice when you are not practicing’. The fundamental principle of off-the-cushion practice is to be aware of what the mind is doing. As Doug Kraft says, “Remember to notice the movement of the mind.” But, since many of us are forgetful, rather than remember-ful, we need some help to notice what the mind is doing during the day. Each of us has to discover the techniques that help us remember that we are aware in each moment, rather than being caught up or lost in our thoughts.

Moments of ‘Awesomeness’ can be one of the ways we remind ourselves to notice awareness as the space between our recurring thoughts. It can help to structure your schedule and environment to include potential moments of awe in your day. Consider the following:

• Decide to watch a sunrise or sunset once a week. Take the time to fully enjoy the beauty and majesty of the sun appearing or disappearing, again, for your enjoyment.
• Put a print of a favorite awe-inspiring piece of artwork on your wall at home or in your office. Each time you look at it, recall the awe you felt the first time you saw that piece.
• Have some beautiful music on a CD or on your phone ready to play while you are driving, rather than listen to the news or talk radio. Your driving experience will be completely different (maybe awesome).
• Schedule a ‘pause’ (or several) in your daily routine, either with an alarm, or tied to some event that happens each day. Take a moment to breathe, relax, and remember the experience of your body during the pause. Appreciate the awareness of the body that carries you through each day.

Now it’s your turn. What can you do to become aware that you are aware during your day?