Brown assures us:
“We’re only ever a breath or two away from releasing the chains that bind us, from living a life that is truly free. This freedom requires a more encompassing capacity, a greater breath of perspective and understanding. At its core is a willingness to feel and be with discomfort from a place of neutrality rather than reactivity. It requires us to cultivate the ability to witness and notice dispassionately."
(Q1) What does she mean by we are only a breath or two away from releasing the chains that bind us mean? Have any of you ever done a meditation that focuses on the breath? Did you find it challenging to process your emotions with balance? Discuss
As Brown describes, it is from the perspective of being an observer of your own experience that will free you.
A foundation of trust is built in this process. She shows us how our strength will grow and that we will have a deeper connection with Source/God. She tells us that when we go through this process, we will release the beliefs we have buried and the release allows us to be free.
(Q2) Do any of you have a meditation practice? Have you found with this spiritual practice you have developed strength and trust…more curiosity than fear? Are any of you interested in starting this for yourself?
What does unencumbered mean? Unburdened.
What would your life look like unburdened?
Brown writes, “The flow of source energy, of life, is dynamic and fluid. Fixed positions and beliefs impede this natural flow.”
Brown states, “Allowing is not the same as complacency.”
This is an interesting and important point. Buddhist calls equanimity as allowing or even craving. Grasping on to what is desired or feeling strong repugnance to that which is unwanted are the obvious enemies of equanimity. But, "the near enemy" is complacency, indifference, or apathy.
There is some confusion about this point with regards to meditation. Learning to be an observer of one's responses does NOT foster indifference. Equanimity dissolves problematic, habitual responses and frees one to ever more of Source/God.
(Q3) Have you ever known a "Spiritual Teacher" who seemed to exhibit calm from a place of indifference? Do you see how equanimity might open you to more Divine flow. to an even greater lovingness within you and outwards?
Brown asserts, "Responding from a place grounded clarity and guidance is far different from having a negative, knee-jerk reaction that further complicates and binds."
She further explains that the concepts of “right speech” and “right action” relate to being beneficial to the world and to others.
This undertaking is not easy according to Brown. When she shared what Buddha said, “Life is suffering,” I really didn’t know what she meant but now maybe I do. Could it be that he expected meditation practitioners to learn to become free of suffering when they meditate habitually?
(Q4) Have any of you practiced meditation enough to find relief from your won triggers? Buddha also said, “There is only one thing I teach. That is suffering and its end to reach.” Buddha fully expected meditation and the practice of it would keep you free of suffering.
Do any of you think it is possible to be liberated from suffering?
Brown suggests that when we use mindful awareness, we will develop our inner guidance. She says doing 25 minutes per day is a good practice. This practice actually improves your brain after 8 weeks.
Brown uses the example of breath-awareness mindfulness, but there are many others. The action of bringing one’s thought back to the present moment and the sensations of breathing, free one from the tyranny of thoughts and emotions.
(Q5) How many of you know that science can prove the benefits of meditation daily in 8 weeks? Share your results if any of you do this.
Brown explains, “During meditation, when you notice yourself thinking instead of witnessing sensations within the breath or body, gently redirect your focus without judgement.”
When we gently bring the focus back repeatedly, we build the skills and benefits of meditation. She writes, “This takes vigilance and practice, especially when you experience feelings of fear, anxiety, sadness, anger or other strong energies. To dissipate those emotions is to stop feeding them, which means disengaging awareness or energy.”
Disengaging the awareness is possible because awareness can only be on one point of attention at a time.
(Q6) Have you tried enough to prove to yourself that your awareness is what she describes above (single-pointed)? If you aren’t familiar with this practice, just realize that you can redirect your attention back to the sensations of your breathing. /remember to be kind to yourself in this time knowing that it is the repetition itself that builds the practice.
Brown explains, “Throughout life, we develop mental patterns and beliefs that no longer serve us today. Those patterns may be handed down from generation to generation.” When one of these patterns is activated for us such as becoming upset or being triggered, we should give our attention to these triggered feelings as it perpetuates a destructive cycle.
When these challenging or even agonizing sensations arise, we can ameliorate (to make better) them through practice, by first allowing the sensations while bringing the awareness back to the intended point of focus, in this case, the sensations of breathing.
Brown shares this quote from Victor Frankl: “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
(Q7) Do any of you know if you have any triggers? Can you identify them? Did you know that it is never the fault of another person that you have them? Who sees how well SOM teachings and meditating are the perfect companions?
Bravely Enter the Discomfort
Brown informs, “When we no longer avoid discomfort, we can allow it to be present and continue to experience the depth, riches, and beauty of life’s mysteries.” She shows us the discomforts of rain, winds, and storms, and reminds us that sun and rain can occur simultaneously.
Brown explains to us that we must welcome all emotional experiences as we welcome all weather. Our error, she tells us, is in vilifying (utter slanderous and abusive remarks against) the difficult emotions. They do not mean that something is wrong; they are part of the rich palette of our life experience.
(Q8) Ok, here is a biggie…. Have you ever operated under the assumption that anything less than happiness is not properly spiritual? Equanimity is the state of allowing emotion (or anything) to come and go without push or pull: Can this state possibly be a spiritual goal? Can our strength within and our divinity become the calm center in any storm we experience?
Brown shares her experience with Vipassana which is an insight that develops the ability to observe and cultivate one’s equanimity and one’s wisdom function.
Here she writes, “Over the years, I came to understand trauma is stored within the nervous system and tissues, right alongside the fear and negativity that come with it. The deeply ingrained mental patterns are filters through which we perceive reality. It takes courage to turn toward the pain, to notice the discomfort in the body that is associated with these filters. The only way to course correct, to be free, is to become aware of that which requires a great deal of neutral observation.”
It is the allowing of painful or uncomfortable emotion with equanimity that permits the stored trauma and problematic programming to actually heal.
(Q9) I think Brown is offering us a practice we can do as a mindful spiritual practice as a path to our theme this month “unchained spirituality!" Do any of you see how this practice might liberate you? Would you willing to have something in place with the problems do arise and slap you in the face? Could it be we can now experience love and joy simultaneously with grief or sadness? When you expand your heart, you have this capacity. The next time a storm is upon you and you can love anyway, are you there?
Brown suggests that when we release stored energy, we can heal. Grief and even mental illness can be the path to healing. Now can you see all the challenges our world has and maybe our world is a path to our healing.
Wow what a great feature that was. I can’t wait to talk about it with you next Tuesday. I hope you are developing a life unencumbered and that you experience an unchained spirituality!!!!!!!
Love, Light, and Laughter,
Rev. Lyssa