If those patterns do not currently serve us, thinking about the process of acquisition or even understanding the mechanics does not turn the autopilot off. Thinking and understanding may help you see the possibilities for change and the freedom it would bring; but they only prolong the inevitable, which is action.
So what action is necessary?
Actually, the action is to practice.
It is to practice something counter-intuitive to today’s busy lifestyle. It’s a spiritual practice. It’s the spiritual practice of breathing.
One may protest. "Practice breathing!" "Surely you jest." "I breathe automatically."
Right. We unconsciously breathe like we are on – say - automatic pilot?
Consider: When you are anxious, do you hold your breath without realizing it? You are not even aware of it? Or so excitable that you hyperventilate?
How is your breathing during angry or fear or rushing? Is your oxygen intake shallow? Or do you fully engage the lungs and diaphragm?
The adage “practice makes perfect” is true only when we practice with pure intention. When we continue without meaning, purpose or aim - as in autopilot - we stay in the same ole rut.
Understanding does have its place – which is illumination – never for blame.
We are born into families whose beliefs, mannerisms and values were imposed on us. This is called conditioning. Right-on or off-target, good or not so good, nurturing or neglectful, their conditional climate set the atmosphere in which we were reared.
We learned family function/dysfunction dynamics. We learned what seems to work and what seems not to work – and in the process, we creatively formed our own function/dysfunction to join with or protest against. This is called adaptation.
We learned it so early and so completely that neurological pathways were ingrained in our brain to the point that we behave as though “that is just the way I am” and “I can’t help it.”
By default we pass on the same human condition. The contradictory condition of either following established patterns or rebelling against them or both/and.
Although your ancestors – immediate and far-flung (back to the fifth generation) – contributed to you being you, do you really have the right to blame them for your lack of happiness or success?
Although you have made your share of errors do you want your offspring blaming you for their lack of happiness or success?
Are we not each self-determining? Are we not a product of our free-will choices? Do we not have the ability to love anyway and still rise above?
“As a man thinks in his heart so is he” Jesus
Or so he becomes. To become who we were created to be is aided by focusing on our breath.
Huh? What?
We begin to realize that we do have some control over an otherwise natural function. Deliberate breathing is the practice of internal music and harmony.
It is the practice of hearing your soul’s still point wisdom. It’s the practice of honest meditation that transforms potential energy into actual energy.
It’s the spiritual practice that carries you emotionally back into the arms of God from whence we came. It is the practice of transformation into permanence. It is the proverbial caterpillar into becoming a butterfly.
Invite Mona to speak to your group. mona@monadunkin.com
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