Truth is Freedom

I hope you all had a great weekend! One of the most powerful aspects of a mindfulness practice is learning how to NOTICE. It sounds silly as we are taking in stimuli and information constantly, but really paying attention, processing and learning from the messages we are receiving takes practice.

Sometimes the universe bangs us over the head with a message that we can’t ignore but other times it is a more subtle set of messages that weave together within a type of tapestry. It takes focus to notice how the messages relate to each other but once you do it becomes very clear. 

My recent “tapestry” being weaved has been around the concept of authenticity. A few weeks ago I had a series of interactions with a person who just flat out lied to me. That doesn’t happen very much in my world and when it did happen it hit pretty hard. There are few things I would like to be thought of less than being a liar so it is very difficult for me to understand why someone would lie. At first I was shocked and hurt, then angry. 

It took several weeks and several subtle messages from the universe weaved together for the anger to soften. It was a longer process than I would have liked but I have found my anger transitioning to sadness and compassion for this person.

One such message was a quote I read by playwright & author Eve Ensler. It was exactly what I needed to remember and helped me shift anger to compassion towards the person who lied by remembering they are suffering deeply. She is trapped and I am free.

“It’s a weird thing about truth; it actually protects you. What really makes you vulnerable is when you are lying, because you know you are going to get caught, even by your own mind.” 

On the mat we worked on noticing and being authentic in our bodies. There is nothing to prove on the mat. We have the chance to practice acceptance for all that is and is not available. There is a freedom that comes from such an acceptance. That is us being authentic in ourselves.

Off the mat we can aspire to the same. When we avoid or hide things it traps us in a small sense of self. When we notice the messages from the universe and pair them with living as our authentic selves we feel more free and become less burdened by the struggle of others to do the same. Whatever messages that are part of the tapestry being weaved for you right now, I wish for you the practice of NOTICING & ACCEPTING. I am practicing right along with you.