The greatest support we can have is mindfulness, which means being totally present in each moment. If the mind remains centered, it cannot make up stories about the injustice of the world or one's friends, or about one's desires or sorrows. All these stories could fill many volumes, but when we are mindful such verbalizations stop. Being mindful means being fully absorbed in the moment, leaving no room for anything else. We are filled with the momentary happening, whatever it is--standing or sitting or lying down, feeling pleasure or pain--and we maintain a nonjudgmental awareness, a "just knowing."
-Ayya Khema, "Be an Island"
Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001. Reprinted from "Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations," edited by Josh Bartok, with permission of Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm St., Somerville MA 02144 U.S.A, www.wisdompubs.org.
James's comment: Staying mindful in everything I do is the biggest lesson for me that I learn and relearn everyday. I certainly do my fair share of making up stories in my "mind" and worrying as well as dwelling on my "sorrows" instead of staying mindful in the present moment. I think that it is o.k. to feel sorrow if that is the moment that you are in but it is not healthy to dwell and live in that moment. That is easier said then done for all of us especially those with brain disorders but thankfully we have good medications now that can go a long way to help.
-Peace to all beings-
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