Four Practices for Everyday Life

After meditation group today I touched on some practices to bring our PRACTICE into daily life.  I thank my Dharma Dad, Dr. Andrew Shugyo Bonnici, for helping pave my way when I was first making this inquiry and for SHOWING me for the last 12 years what it looks like to bring this very special practice into all aspects of my lay life.  Tara Brach's work has also helped to inform these four basic principles for "informal" practice.

Be gentle with yourself
   
In all that you notice about your experience, regard it with gentleness.  If you notice feeling angry, be gentle with yourself.  If you notice craving, be gentle with yourself.  If you act in a way you find distasteful, be gentle with yourself.  It can help to imagine regarding these parts of yourself as young children longing for your love and attention.  It is just so.

Be in your body

Throughout the day practice "coming to your senses." Whenever you remember, feel your body from the inside out.  Feel your hands turning the doorknob, holding the steering wheel, or petting your dog.  Feel your feet on the earth as you walk.  Feel the sensations of warm water on your skin as you take a shower. This simple practice opens up your awareness to include much more than just the busy thinking mind with its endless stories, commentary, and judgements.  You will notice it is much more difficult to get "hooked" by your stories when you are wholly embodied.


Pause

Periodically throughout your day pause.  Take three deep breaths.  Then inquire, what is my experience in my body right now?  You may notice agitation.  You may notice fear.  You may notice craving. You may  notice ease.  You may notice anger.  Then practice opening around the feeling by letting your body get really soft.  Place your hand on your heart and just acknowledge what's true..."yes, there's fear here." Or, "yes, there is anger here."  If you have time you may look more deeply by simply feeling the sensations of the body more fully.  See if they have something to say.  "Yes, I'm afraid I won't be able to handle what the future holds. " "Yes, I'm angry because I feel unheard."  Don't spin off into stories about it.  And don't worry if nothing comes to you.  Practicing in this way will allow you to broaden your container of awareness to INCLUDE your experience with gentleness.

Notice and let in moments of joy

Anytime you notice feeling joyful, consciously notice it.  It may only last half a second, but when things strike you as being beautiful or joyful pause with it.  Your child's smile.  Your husband's laugh.  The blooming poppy.  The smell of jasmine.  A friend's support.  Train in noticing what's good.  This strengthens your connection to the resources available to you in every moment.  It doesn't mean things are perfect!  In fact, this is rarely the case.  But practice noticing goodness in the midst of what may seem like a shitty day or a shitty week.  We must not wait to live.

"Our Lady of Strength and Surrender"

Making my own SPACE

I've been working in the kitchen and the dining room table making my little treasures.  I didn't think we had enough SPACE for me to have my own to make all the things coming out from my budding domestic goddess heart.  Then I realized I had to reconstruct my idea of SPACE.  And I realized I do indeed have it in our large living room walk in closet. Small but Spacious.

Another angle of Depth

Old school built in dresser

Depth

How do I have the time to make ANYTHING with 2 kids under 4 is a question I get often.  PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE.  Practicing being a mother and allowing everything in.  Practicing letting love pierce my heart.  Practicing knowing that my life is EACH BREATH and EACH MINUTE.  15 minutes of time is spent MAKING my beautiful life these days.  You'd be surprised at what you can do in 15 minutes.  An hour is absolute bliss.

There is nothing like MOTHERHOOD that has made me appreciate the art of adornment.  I remember my Aunt Carol telling me how she bought black bras after the birth of her first son (hope she doesn't mind me sharing).  But I get it.  When I dress up for the day...meaning I take some time to ask myself what I really WANT to wear...I feel like a woman.  A mother.  THE mother.  Eternal feminine.

My life is too short NOT to wear pretty things EVERY DAY.  I'm loving seeing woman putting on my handmade hats and then, after looking in the mirror, their face glows that ever stunning feminine radiance.  That I'M AMAZING look.  True.  Women are amazing.  But I guess we forget.  I know I forget.  And it's nice to make things that make us remember, whether it be a hat or a painting from my exploding heart.

My amazingly talented design friend Melissa Lundby is helping me sort it all out, buy what I need, and arrange the space the way it can work best for me.  I'm so grateful for truly talented girlfriends.

If you want to visit some of my ideas for my new making space check out "
pinterest.com/carinastratton/ideas-for-my-new-making-space/

Will keep you posted.

xoxo
Carina