 I came across a lovely term recently - back to one. When I heard it I thought what a beautiful way to approach meditation, what a beautiful way to approach life. What I mean in meditation is that whenever we get confused, doubting ourselves, becoming critical or restless, we come back to one. One here is both the number one and a metaphor for being at home in the present moment. For example, if we are counting our breath and we have wandered (and by the way we will wander and it is absolutely OK) we come back to ONE and begin again. One is the starting point that has no destination. It is the "place" of refuge where we cannot be hurt. It is the place by the fireside on a cold stormy evening. It won't necessarily stop the storms immediately but if you come back to one you will not be hurt by them. One is a place of compassion. When we are truly at home we are more able to show kindness to all that enters. It may be a sadness, or anger. It may be blaming yourself for something or anxious about the future. But if we come back to one we have thew space and perspective to deal with what arises. So in your meditation practice just coming back to one, in a kind and non judgmental way. If you come back to one and you are critical of yourself then you haven't come back to one. But one includes the critical voice and the restless anger that wants to seethe. One is the last refuge, it is the palace of peace where you can view what is happening with awareness and compassion. |
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