Mindfulness, Conduit of Truth

Every hour of every day I'm learning more

The more I learn, the less I know about before

The less I know, the more I want to look around

Digging deep for clues on higher ground

— UB40, Higher Ground

Mindfulness and the Road to Truth

Nearly nine months into this journey towards mindfulness and greater connectivity, progress is slow. The scope of my studies continues to widen.  I explore and seek knowledge primarily from Buddhist teachings, combined with principles of philosophy and psychology. As my brain struggles to make synaptic connections between my learning and experiences, I realize it is time to redefine and clarify my purpose.

Deep breath, time to get real. My experience is not unique. Too many of my days were spent on wishful thinking, obsession, denial and fear. The result — an increasing amount of pain and suffering. Life is difficult, that is the nature of it.  While progress does seem slow, awareness (first of self) is the conduit for finding purpose and meaning, a predecessor to growth. I am on the right path. 

My purpose redefined — to put an end to suffering and find greater contentment. Mindfulness is not the ends but rather a means or condition for revealing truth and wisdom.  Truth and wisdom optimize the conditions for contentment. To begin, I acknowledge my need to slow down and be patient with the process. Knowledge takes time.  

“Because one believes in oneself, one doesn't try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn't need others' approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.”  ― Lao Tzu

-- Jennifer Fox