How to Apply Meditation Principles to Daily Living

In formal meditation practice, you sit and focus your mind on your breath, and when thoughts or feelings arise, you acknowledge them without being carried away by them, and then let them go. For example, if anger arises, you make note of it, but do not concentrate on the feeling or your reasons for having it. Instead, after become aware of it, you move your concentration back to your breath. In this way, you become in charge of your mind rather than being its helpless victim. But what do you do when anger or other feelings arise during the day, when you are not meditating? Must you live as a slave of your thoughts, or can you apply meditation principles to daily living?

Instructions

1. Be mindful of your thoughts. This is the first step to applying meditation principles to daily living. As soon as you become involved in any activity, take a moment to give yourself a mental check-up. Ask yourself, "What is going through my mind right now? How am I feeling at this moment?"

2. Make a mental note of whether or not your emotions are driving your behavior. For example, if you are sweeping, notice whether you are pushing the broom angrily along the floor. If you are knitting or sewing, notice if you are losing yourself in the stitches, using the activity as a way to drown yourself in your sadness. Become self-aware to bring your thoughts and feelings to full consciousness.

3. Decide whether to continue with these thoughts and feelings or let them go. Before, when your mind was murky and you were not fully aware of your thoughts and feelings, you didn't have this choice. Very consciously ask yourself, "Do I want to drop this thought and go on to something else, or do I want to continue as I am for a while longer?"

4. Praise yourself mentally, no matter which choice you make. Realize that you have put effort into overcoming compulsion and becoming a free person. Take a moment to fully feel and appreciate your liberation. Enjoy knowing that it was your efforts which led to your awareness, which led to your ability to make choices and gain control over your inner life. Hallelujah!

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that the only victory you can have is victory for the moment. To be free and to remain free, you must be willing to practice in this way on an ongoing basis.

• Inner freedom leads inevitably to outer freedom. Once you gain control over your inner processes, you also gain the ability to choose your behaviors in the world. New behaviors lead to new options and possibilities. Your life may expand beyond your wildest dreams!

• Be sure that self-praise and good self-esteem do not turn into self-satisfaction and complacency. You can never rest on your laurels. Keep practicing!