Contemplation: A Time for Reflection and Its Purpose

We are often run by our thoughts, emotions and bodily sensations which are usually based in an egoic identity. Our attachment to these patterns gives rise to the person we believe our self to be and how we speak and act with ourselves and others. Have you ever entertained the possibility that these patterns and responses are only a conditioned version of who you are? They are cultural agreements about what self is and how to respond to life. What resides beyond these boarders of habits and attachments?

Contemplation allows one time to be with oneself and to reflect. To ponder upon our life, its meaning and direction, who we believe our self to be, our actions, speech and reactions, the nature of reality or simply a new idea or spiritual concept. Contemplation is a time to sit with grievances and injustices and allow for clarity, forgiveness and resolution so we can move forward. We bare witness to the places in us where we are stuck, identified with certain perspectives, ideas and beliefs, or have a stance or position with life or another person. It is also a time to sit and be with pain, physical and/or emotional, and allow transformation, rather than feeling victimized to the repetitive pattern and its voice that speaks of being unfulfilled, isolated, sorrowful and sad.

For 8 years I have been present with intense and sometimes unbearable hip and body pain. It has been a process and learning to accept and be present with this physical and emotional pain. As I have honored it, I have availed myself to discovery, growth and enlightenment. The pain has illuminated me, motivated me, been an agent of immense healing, helped me become more conscious, kind, loving and sensitive to others and fueled my spiritual path and awakening. Pain has been my teacher. Contemplation combined with determination, patience and perseverance will transform any external or internal relationships into love, peace and acceptance.

Contemplation is like the seasons. As we sit with what is inside us, it naturally starts to change. Our relationship with our self, or whatever we are focused upon, transforms as surely as summer turns to fall. Contemplation needs time and space for this alchemy to happen like a tree needs soil to be fed, grow and stable. Without practice, contemplation’s power and value will elude us. We will continue to live our life like the movie "Ground Hog Day" falling into the same ruts mentally and emotionally over and over again never allowing change, transformation, rest and renewal.

Time to oneself is essential. Contemplation balances one mentally, emotionally and energetically and gives one time to process life experiences and for the body to heal. It also allows one to discover, listen and attune to ones inner voice, intuition or spirit, and develop clarity, discernment and wisdom. Some discover this jewel and others miss it altogether, using the excuse that "I don't have the time". Some are simply unaware of it.

As we give ourselves time to sit and be quiet, we meet the "self" we experience day in and day out in our heads. We hear the constant dialogue, habitual voices and feel the emotions and bodily sensations. We are given the opportunity to see our self clearly; what motivates us and what our emotions, thoughts and actions are rooted in. As we are present with this play of consciousness we have learned to identify with and call our self, we discover something uncanny: we are not our thoughts, past, memories nor emotions, reactions or status.

Contemplation gives one the time and space to sit with one’s mind and internal landscapes. You learn to not be dragged around by your thoughts, emotions and sensations. Instead of being a slave to them, you bear witness to them while simultaneously realizing you have a choice of how to behave. You can begin to see other possibilities beyond the egoic patterns. You develop objectivity, presence and equanimity which allow you to experience your vaster, undefined, energetic nature beyond concepts, an “I”, past, present or future.

Alchemy happens through the power of presence or awareness. Awareness effortlessly and naturally releases our hold and attachment to our habitual sense of self, our past, our opinions and reactions. Contemplation gives rise to understanding, insight, healing, reconciliation and wholeness.

As one is patient and present, one discovers a vaster, energetic, more universal sense of self from which speech and action arise from presence which knows what is needed in the moment based on the situation and circumstances. Presence is inherently loving, understanding, inclusive, kind, compassionate, fierce and firm if needed and balanced. It is not based on an "I" identity, a predictable pattern, conditioning nor the past. Presence is spontaneous, intelligent and wise. It is a whole new world from which to live and act from.

Welcome to a world where unity lives and breathes. I will meet you there.

Love,
Lisa