| The concept of mindfulness plays a central role in | | | | When you accomplish the above, you are ready to |
| Buddhism. The Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, | | | | release the pain of the PAST. As you have probably |
| founder of Buddhism, stated: "Do not dwell in the past, | | | | noticed, I am quite fond of acronyms. I created the |
| do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on | | | | acronym PAST to stand for the following: |
| the present moment." Mindfulness is an intentional and | | | | P rocrastination, A voidance, S tagnation, T repidation. |
| nonjudgmental awareness of one's thoughts and | | | | When you are stuck in the pain of the PAST, you are |
| actions in the present moment. When you become | | | | burdened with mind identification and estranged from |
| mindful, you are able to pay close attention to your | | | | your inner voice. When you release the pain of the |
| thoughts without directly engaging or identifying with | | | | PAST, you are able to enter into a state of quiet |
| them. Mindfulness involves the understanding that | | | | reflection to begin to visualize the life you were meant |
| thoughts are only thoughts; they do not define reality | | | | to live. To release the pain of the PAST, you must |
| and they can be released at any moment in time. | | | | bust through your shackles of fear to begin to allow |
| In my last column I introduced my slogan "Live, Dream | | | | positive change into your life. It all starts with a future |
| and Thrive" and invited you to explore the following | | | | vision. Your future vision is like a road map- it guides |
| question: What does it mean to you to thoroughly and | | | | you in the direction you were meant to travel and it is |
| lavishly "live" rather than to merely exist? I discussed | | | | created by the deepest voices of your soul. |
| the integral role of your inner voice as you begin to | | | | The act of dreaming should be fun and exciting. It is an |
| introduce balance and harmony into your life by | | | | opportunity to release your inhibitions, unleash your |
| identifying areas where energy is blocked or misguided, | | | | creative juices and tap into your deepest passions. |
| in order to unleash and redirect the energy towards | | | | Allow yourself to be as extravagant and outrageous |
| your deepest passions. When you learn to hear and | | | | as you wish. Take a moment to project yourself one |
| trust your inner voice and identify areas of your life | | | | year into the future and visualize yourself living a |
| where your core energy is either blocked or flowing in | | | | perfect day. Close your eyes, take a few deep |
| the wrong direction, you are ready to begin to dream | | | | breaths and enter into a state of quiet reflection. |
| of new possibilities and exciting alternatives. | | | | Where are you, who are you with, how do you feel |
| I created the acronym "Dream" to reflect the following: | | | | and what are you doing? Describe in detail your |
| D isengage from commotion and chaos. | | | | physical environment, your appearance (hair, body, |
| R ecognize your hopes and dreams. E mbrace the | | | | clothing, etc) and what you are thinking and feeling. |
| present moment. A chieve a state of quiet reflection. | | | | How is your life different in your future vision from the |
| M ake a choice to release the PAST. I am not | | | | way it is today? What has changed and what has |
| referring to the type of dreaming you do while asleep, | | | | remained the same? How have you changed and |
| rather an act of dreaming that can only be | | | | how have you remained the same? When you |
| accomplished when you are completely, intensely | | | | complete the visualization process, commit today to |
| awake. To be awake in your life is to be connected | | | | begin taking the steps you must take to turn that vision |
| through all of your senses to the present moment | | | | into a reality. |
| rather than lost in the past or the future. When you | | | | Consider this wise and poignant quote: That which the |
| achieve a state of mindfulness your senses are | | | | dream shows is the shadow of such wisdom as |
| heightened and the world is more vibrant- colors | | | | exists in man, even if during his waking state he may |
| appear brighter, sounds become crisper and your | | | | know nothing about it....We do not know it because we |
| thoughts flow in and out of your conscious mind with | | | | are fooling away our time with outward and perishing |
| incredible ease. | | | | things, and are asleep in regard to that which is real |
| When you are embroiled in the commentary of your | | | | within ourself. ~Paracelsus, quoted in The Dream |
| mind you cannot achieve a state of mindfulness. When | | | | Game |
| you remain attached to the past or the future you fail | | | | It is life's daily routine, attachment to external stimulation |
| to exist in the present moment. If you are not mindful, | | | | and relentless productivity that keep you away from |
| you cannot dream. When you disengage from mental | | | | dreaming. It is a state of quiet reflection, inner stillness |
| chatter and shift your focus from the past and the | | | | and the deepest voices of your soul that move you |
| future back to the present moment, you are ready to | | | | towards dreaming. Relax your body, quiet your mind, |
| begin the process of conscious dreaming. To begin the | | | | shut down your computer, silence your cell phone, take |
| process of dreaming you must disengage from mental | | | | a few deep breaths and begin today to listen to the |
| noise and chaos, break your attachment to excessive | | | | deepest voices of your soul. There is no time better |
| productivity, external stimulation and daily routine, enter | | | | than the present moment to begin to dare yourself to |
| into a state of quiet reflection and appreciate the gift | | | | dream. |
| of inner peace and stillness. | | | | |