The Shift (2)

We shift our attention from the outer to the inner world by maintaining a moment-to-moment awareness of every thought, feeling and action. Here ends the unobserved life. From now on, nothing happens inadvertently.

The Shift

The Shift is underway when we begin to pay less attention to the outer world and more attention to the inner one. It’s a crucial movement. Ignorance of Self exacts a terrible toll.

Doing and undoing

Doing is easy. Undoing requires skill and deliberation.

Cacophony

To cultivate a quiet mind, continuously observe the babble of thought in the head. Notice the repetition and negativity. See how the aim of these thoughts is to trigger an emotional response, how they parade their own importance. Dispassionate attention slows the mind. The space between thoughts expands.

Attention shoppers!

In Mary Oliver’s arresting phrase, we are customers of death. A recent UK report says how we die is changing, moving from “a family event with occasional medical support, to a medical event with limited family support.”