November 30, 2008 – Making this moment the most important

Music

Awareness Scale: 4.65

I was just listening (again) to the Chapter 9 episode of A New Earth on Oprah’s website. So many elements strike me as monumentally important. I finally decided I could choose one and focus on it.

At about 1 hour and 11 minutes in, Eckhart says, “Live as if the present moment were more important than past and future.”

Hmmm. Interesting to look at the dual drama of awareness and asleepness happening in me when I contemplate this notion. First, I respond from a deeper place, “Yes. I want that.” Then, I try it on for size. Immediately I feel how I have a fear that arises. “But, that’s too much.” “But, I might miss something…” “But…but…but…”

Usually, that’s about as far as I get. A string of “buts” and I’m back to the merry-go-round. However, if I insist…a few moments of silence… “Eating this French toast at this moment is more important than rushing through it to hurry and write my blog.” “Sitting in the sun, feeling its radiance, of primary importance. Next tasks secondary.” But, springboard back on to the merry-go-round…

“Yes! Great idea!” and off I go with a litany of fantasies about “when I’m enlightened…” The interviewer asks, “Are you enlightened?” And I answer, “If enlightenment is no longer being run by my mind, then yes, I am…” And my mind compulsively plays it over and over and over for the gratification of the brilliance inherent in this profound statement…until finally the train of thought collapses under the weight of it’s own irony, and I can’t help but burst out laughing.

Awareness Scale: 5

P.S. The photo is of a room at the Jewish Museum in San Francisco (photo by my friend and his phone). Yesterday we visited the Andy Warhol exhibit and stumbled on the sound exhibit in this room. “The Aleph-Bet Sound Project.” The Hebrew alphabet made sound. Brilliant! Totally captivating, and well worth a visit.