Big Picture II

Continuing with our question of how the field of care practice is helping us to become more deeply connected with the spaciousness that is always available within us, here is a quote from John Makransky from his book, Awakening Through Love, concerning the meditations of Innate Love and Wisdom:

To receive and extend love helps the mind relax into its most natural state—a state of pervasive openness, simplicity, and deep tranquility. By resting in its natural state, the mind can further unleash its underlying capacity of love. As this unity of love and wisdom unfolds, we can become more fully present to others, communing with them in their fuller humanity, instead of reacting from habitual judgments.

You may question or have doubts about whether YOU have “innate wisdom and compassion.” This is not unusual because we have never been trained to notice these qualities. Our education and social training ask us to focus on what is outside of us: the task at hand, dangers that may be present in the environment, and how others are reacting to us. You will notice that most social media platforms play on this tendency of the mind (a learned mode of thinking) to keep you engaged with a screen full of interesting or concerning topics (and advertising). As soon as you shut off your computer or smart phone, the mind relaxes for a moment, but then, the mind reverts to wanting and needing that social stimulation and validation, sometimes so soon and so subtly that you don’t notice the transition.

The question for us on a spiritual path is “How can we be more aware of the natural, innate qualities of the mind, rather than always reverting to worrying, regret, craving, and clinging?” The qualities that so often seem to dominate our awareness. The answer is that we need to train the mind, or, perhaps, RE-train the mind to become aware of those innate qualities openness, loving-kindness and compassion that have always been present, but we failed to notice.

So, in the Receiving Mode of the Caring Moment (or Benefactor) practice, we become aware of the love, care, compassion, acceptance, and safety that are present in a caring moment with another being. We allow these qualities to resonate and enliven those same qualities that are present within each of us; part of our true nature.

As we become more comfortable and have more experience with this practice, we are able to notice and release the habitual patterns of thinking and reacting that prevent us from seeing our true nature. As we release and relax the mind, this creates the space for the mind to be aware of what comes into the mind without the need to cling to each thought and feeling that arises.

Relaxing the mind allows us to be more present to our own natural state and to be more present to others and their needs.