SUFFERING SUCCOTASH – HERE AGAIN

How Sylvester the Cat and Daffy Duck have been helpful on my mindfulness journey…

There is a moment in the practice of mindfulness where it’s all NOT WORKING, when I’m caught again in SUFFERING… I recently had a number of such moments… Apparently triggered by external events… But perpetuated by the spinning of my mind (“papancha” in Pali).

On this particular day I was sad, worried and somewhat exasperated… Zoe has decided to step down from teaching the Embodied Mind weekend.

My mind was busy doing its usual thing; trying to figure out why; trying to figure out life; trying to see if it’s something about me, not realising this spinning is actually creating the very suffering from which I seek refuge…

Papancha; I’m in an argument with reality, with my emotions, with the external decisions of others…

THEN…

In a split second, I see… I realise… It’s the mind, wandering down its usual path, creating the same suffering its alway created…

In that moment I’m free… In the preceding moment I’m suffering… 

This moment of seeing / insight / vipassana is so precious in practice, I like to highlight it, to nail it for future reference… So I call on genius greater than myself… A resource that came to me in my early retreat days, Walt Disney’s Loony Toons have shown me, reminded me, to have a laugh at myself, my mind, the sticky mess I get myself in…

This is how Sylvester the Cat and Daffy Duck have been helpful on my mindfulness journey…

They show me, with gentle humour so can I see the parody of myself… Then I can relax, soften back to my rested nature…

ALL IS UNFOLDING… (until the next moment when Sylvester and Daffy are long forgotten and life is serious once again!)

Zoe, of course, has reasons for stepping down from Embodied Mind. We had originally envisaged a teacher training together and after our vision changed to a professional development weekend, she came to realise she doesn’t align with this offering. However, Zoe and I will continue our Dharma friendship and offer retreats together. Stay tuned… (In a Loony Tunes way if you like…)

Nemone Sloane will be assisting me on Embodied Mind. Nemone is a fellow yoga and dance teacher and Occupational Therapist. I’m excited to invite her to join us. I have so much gratitude for blessed friends and colleagues…

This weekend promises to be a time to replenish, learn in your body…
So your transmission to your clients and patients is potent, confident and strong…
So you have resilience in your work and life…
So you can say “YES!”

Because I’m so passionate about yoga and mindfulness meditation reaching you and our women colleagues in mental health and health professions, AND I’d like to celebrate friendship,  I’d like to make you and your friend / colleague this special offer.

For a short time, this course is available for 50% off tuition costs when you book with a friend / colleague.

SHARE THE LOVE ❤

I look forward to sharing the journey.
Blessings
neli