Change

I hope you all are enjoying your long weekend. I have noticed in several ways recently how powerful the concept of framing is in shaping our perspective. It reminded me of this saying that became my message for the week; When you change the way you look at things, the things you are looking at change.

Often we view situations with limiting beliefs (an inhibited view). Like when peeking through a camera lens, what is framed in our view is just a small representation of reality. If we can expand our view (use a wider angle) then our framing is expanded as well. This offers us the gift of perspective and broadens our minds to expanded possibilities.

This is the true definition of an open mind (and mindfulness) — the ability to notice without judgment– and this open mind offers us more joy, deeper compassion and the mindfulness super power of perspective. With perspective we can see a broader range of outcomes. 

We practiced this open mind this week with our bodies on our mats starting with identifying what is really important. This seems pretty obvious but again our limiting beliefs about the expectations we put on ourselves or the comparing mind sometimes does not allow for us to see this. We focused less on “achieving the pose” and more on noticing what muscles were being strengthened and lengthened. I asked students to let go of judgment and expectation and instead celebrate what felt good in their body. It’s not about what we can’t do, but instead celebrating the broad range of things we can. This is one way we train the mind to continue this practice (perhaps in more important ways) off the mat. 

I also asked students to set an intention to identify a situation off the mat where they might have been looking through a restricted lens; where if they changed the way they looked at it, they might see the potential for a different result. It is only in the exploration that we find clarity. When we lead with reactivity and our emotions, the frame with which we see the world is much more limiting. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to practice the gift of a mind that is open, to see the world with a broad lens, and to share that with all of you. Thank you for being along on this journey with me.