"Death changes everything in a flash....If all these things (e.g., your possessions, loved ones, hopes and dreams for your life...) can be changed in an instant, then maybe they aren't so real after all. Maybe you'd better check out who you are. Maybe you should look deeper...you don't have to change your life; you just change how you live your life. It's not what you're doing; it's how much of you is doing it." (T.U.S., p. 160)
It's how much of you is doing it that matters. That's where the work is...am I the awareness or am I lost in thought totally unaware of what is right in front of me?
I've been using the breath as a way to ground myself in the moment as I go throughout my day. I'm reading another book "You Are Here" by Thich Nhat Hanh which talks about focusing on the breath as a way to bring oneself back into the moment and as a way to unite the mind and body. Thich Nhat Hanh recommends the phrase "Breathing in I know that I'm breathing in...breathing out I know that I'm breathing out." (This can be used during sitting meditation or as we go about the business of the day). Once my awareness is returned to the here and now I can witness and release.
Another technique in this book which has been very helpful with releasing is the simple phrase "Breathing in I am aware of feeling sadness/anger/jealousy...breathing out I embrace the sadness/anger/jealousy." Thich Nhat Hanh uses the analogy that our feelings are like a crying baby. What would you do if you heard a baby cry? You'd pick it up, embrace it. Embracing the feelings brings a sense of calmness and this allows the feelings to pass through. Try it for yourself and you will see!
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