I have three practices. One is vipassana meditation, very simply described
in two steps: 1) focusing attention on the breath, and 2) when thoughts
arise, labeling them "thinking" and returning attention to the breath.
(For more detailed instruction on this practice, see Jon Kabbat-Zinn's
"Wherever You Go, There You Are" or "Full Catastrophe Living") This
practice transforms my field of awareness by allowing me to directly
experience the insubstantial nature of thought, creating a more spacious
perspective and less identification with outcomes. This translates
directly into professional life by giving me a way to extract myself from
unproductive thought patterns, to step back and enjoy the play of forces
that produce the various dramas we find ourselves enmeshed in, and to take
it all less seriously. This practice also develops a willingness to stay
with uncomfortable situations and painful feelings without closing down.
This openness leads to less suffering (since suffering is caused more by
resistance to pain than by the pain itself).
The second practice is being alone in nature, and not trying to "do"
anything. This brings greater understanding of natural laws and a sense of
connection with the natural world. This counterbalances the time I spend
in discursive thought such as participating in this list (which is
extremely valuable and transformative in its own way).
The third practice is writing in a journal, which acts as kind of a "brain
flush" to unload thoughts and feelings. I find this produces greater
clarity in my other, more public communications.
Cathie Leavitt
71672.1260@compuserve.com