Touchstones

In the last class, Eckhart Tolle invited us to look at the daily problems and challenges we face as opportunities to practice being present rather than being dragged into a mood of negativity. He uses the example of being caught in a traffic jam. We can either get angry and frustrated, or we can drop into a practice that has us become more present. Our outward situation doesn’t change; but our mood does.

This example is one with which most of us are familiar and it encompasses so much of what Eckhart Tolle has been exploring.

What is, Is. Complaining about it is not helpful nor effective. Our emotions can cloud our judgment.

Accept the situation for what it is, even if we don’t like it. “I am stuck in traffic.”

We can take steps to extricate ourselves from the situation; but we do it without the emotion of “This shouldn’t be happening to me.”

In the case of being stuck in traffic, we can deliberately choose to practice being present. It’s is a great opportunity to be still.

I find these concrete examples very helpful.

pete