Mindfulness- The Gateway to Everything You Seek

Finding Clarity In Stillness

Previously, I explained how solitude can create space for practicing mindfulness. While I touched upon meditation in my post Books That Have Inspired Me (Part 2), you might wonder why this theme holds such resonance with me. Here’s why I believe mindfulness is the gateway to all you seek.

Often, I contemplate our collective obsession with external pursuits. We believe they’re the golden keys to our happiness, security, and well-being. Yet, mindfulness —available to everyone, free of charge — beckons as a limitless fountain of peace and abundance.

I once dismissed the intangible world of thoughts, firmly anchored in the dogmas of material science. But my journey into meditation proved me wrong.

Mindfulness is a Wellspring of Benefits

Through many years of personal exploration and intentional practice, I have come to embrace the extraordinary power of meditation. It may seem paradoxical that by simply sitting in stillness and silence, we can unlock answers to life's mysteries. Yet, this ancient practice, spanning millennia, continues to offer profound benefits that modern science is only beginning to chronicle.

At its core, mindfulness is about being fully present in the moment. This heightened state of awareness can lead to a more profound experience of reality. By focusing on the present, we silence the incessant mind-chatter, usually stuck in past regrets or future anxieties, paving the way for deeper consciousness.

The gifts of mindfulness are vast: from the reduction of stress and the regulation of mood to tangible improvements in health, immune system strength, and longevity. Extending into cognitive enhancements and expanded consciousness, its impact reverberates across every facet of our being.

My Personal Journey

In the silence, I confronted a perpetual whirlwind of my thoughts. At first, it was overwhelming, a relentless storm of memories, ideas, stories, and emotions.

I came to understand why mindfulness might seem so daunting to some. It’s easy and tempting to chase fleeting pleasures rather than wrestle with an untamed mind. Yet, that choice spells the difference between chaos and harmony.

It took me months of resistance before I stopped running away from my thoughts. I instead began to wonder why they wouldn’t stop, where they originated from, and what purpose they served.

The rumination turned into questioning:

• Why does this thought keep returning?

• Why does it have such an emotional weight every time I recall it?

• What unresolved tensions are creating this discomfort?

• Do I need to do something about this?

The questions became challenges:

• Do I really want this stuff to dominate my time and energy?

• Why am I not doing something about this if I know what needs to be done?

• When am I actually going to get moving and make a change?

• What’s stopping me from doing that?

Eventually, with enough questioning, you reach a point where you just know. You know exactly what you need, what you want, and what action to take. In this state of being, there’s no more room for fear, self-doubt, excuses, rationalizations, or distractions.

You simply be, then you act, then you thrive.

A Pattern Emerges

My mindfulness journey, although unique, has a discernible pattern, visualized as a staircase of interconnected experiences, with self-awareness at its base.

Self-Awareness and Understanding

Recognizing patterns in thought and behavior, I began understanding actions—both mine and others’. I was able to sort, categorize, and analyze the connections and root causes behind why things occur. I was able to explore events from alternate perspectives. I found a way to separate cognitive distortions from grounded truth.

Once illuminated, these patterns appeared everywhere — in relationships, in groups, in society, in collective consciousness.

Once you see the truth, you can’t unsee it.

Acceptance and Compassion

I learned to accept all of it. Gaining a multi-dimensional perspective paved the way for compassion—toward others and myself.

Wisdom and Intuition

Once I began to see things clearly, without judgement, anger, envy, guilt, or shame; without bias, storytelling, or delusion; the path forward in all matters became easy. I could let go. And when I let go, insights flowed effortlessly.

Night after night, I would be gifted with ‘aha!’ moments, sparks of brilliance, and fiery inspiration. With every revelation, I was invigorated.

Creation and Joy

With newfound clarity and inspiration, I was now free to act, create, and enjoy. When operating in this state, I’ve found all aspects of my life showered with light and bliss.

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Life’s Greatest Mystery

Where do these revelations emerge from, seemingly out of the void? It’s one of life’s greatest mysteries, and perhaps one of the most important philosophical questions I can imagine. I have several hypotheses that I am testing out and will write about in the future.

I suspect that in essence, it’s you—your subconscious, your instincts, your nervous system, your microbiome, your connection to the universe. It’s about fine-tuning your mind to listen, akin to tuning a vintage radio, and connect to a shared intelligence that both encompasses and transcends your biological self.

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How To Get Started

Embarking on a meditation journey requires commitment. But starting is simple.

Go Solo:

• Begin with a 5 minute session each day, sitting or lying comfortably in a quiet room or in nature.

• Take mindful action (nature walk, hiking, biking, swimming)

• Engage in creative work (art, writing, music, or anything that gets you into a flow state)

Get Help:

• Try meditation apps like Healthy Minds or Headspace

• Find or start a Mindfulness Meditation Group

Don’t worry so much about adhering to a specific protocol. The essence is becoming aware of your thoughts and observing them instead of reacting to them. Start there and keep going until you’ve processed it all.

A year into my journey, I meditate up to 2 hours daily. My mindfulness now extends beyond fixed meditations — it permeates all activities in my life, delivering moments of clarity and bursts of inspiration, proving as exhilarating as it’s fulfilling.

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What I’m Doing This Week

Gratitude

I’m grateful to hold space for people I love. To share ideas, perspective, laughter, and compassion. To feel it reciprocated many times over.

Lesson Learned

Find the courage to be completely raw and honest with who you are and what you want. It always pays off, it’s simply matter of time and perspective.

Listening to

The Start of Things by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

Watching

We’re at a pivotal stage in the history of humanity. What we choose to do can impact quadrillions of the future unborn.

Reading

If You Want Your Relationship to Last, Do These 5 Things

Amen.

Self-care

Meditation, nature, fascia work, stretching, volleyball, ocean, hot baths, pro-biotic foods, sunlight, friendship