The gift our patterns bring

The other day someone mentioned their frustration when people say ‘you just have to get over it and move on’. They admitted they found it harder to release than just saying or setting the intention to do so.

I think most of us have some things that ‘bite’ a little more and we stay attached to for longer.

I look at these events or situations as opportunities for they generally offer the biggest clues to our deeper patterns (that have probably been around for a long time).

These actually become the material for my own ‘mindful’ investigation meditation where I explore what is happening.

With this type of meditation you enter in your own mind space (without having to prove or justify to anyone else) and ask questions about reason for that difficulty. You then ask what it may mean about you and then ask what that may mean about you and then ask what that may mean about you; until an insightful realisation about your pattern or need and its impact emerges.

I used this approach the other day when my daughter asked me to care for Sherman, her Rhodesian Ridge Back for the long weekend. My first reaction was ‘how on earth was this going to work with our 2 other dogs who are already very demanding?’ I had created a picture of a household under siege and non-stop craziness.

Mindful investigation brought awareness to one of my recurring life patterns. My pursuit for comfort and peace judged this situation to be a threat hence my reaction and feelings emerged.

As I realised where the feelings had emerged from, it was enough to help me ‘move on and get over it’. It helped me shift from worrying to visioning how it was going to work well for everyone.

Amazingly, having Sherman for the weekend proved to settle the other two dogs and we enjoyed a wonderful weekend!

Hope there is something in this approach for you,

Enjoy your fortnight…