I have been a student of Shambhala (Sakyong Mipham, the author of Turning the Mind into an Ally, is the current lineage holder of this branch of Buddhism) for about two years. I have seen how often my mind will follow well-worn neural pathways and patterns of reactive behavior but, as a direct result of the meditation practice Joanna describes here, I now have the awareness to change course, and do something different. I don't always catch myself in time, mind you, but this is a path of small victories, and learning from our imperfections as well. I think meditation does nothing less than rewire our brains over time. As a result, things that once might hurt me or set me off don't get to me like they once did, and how cool is that, to not be knocked around, or beset by irritation and anger at all the little annoyances that life throws our way? It has opened me up in ways I'm just beginning to understand, but my work, relationships and feeling of being engaged and really belonging in this life have all benefited from the practice.
On May 9, 2012 Gregor wrote:
I have been a student of Shambhala (Sakyong Mipham, the author of Turning the Mind into an Ally, is the current lineage holder of this branch of Buddhism) for about two years. I have seen how often my mind will follow well-worn neural pathways and patterns of reactive behavior but, as a direct result of the meditation practice Joanna describes here, I now have the awareness to change course, and do something different. I don't always catch myself in time, mind you, but this is a path of small victories, and learning from our imperfections as well. I think meditation does nothing less than rewire our brains over time. As a result, things that once might hurt me or set me off don't get to me like they once did, and how cool is that, to not be knocked around, or beset by irritation and anger at all the little annoyances that life throws our way? It has opened me up in ways I'm just beginning to understand, but my work, relationships and feeling of being engaged and really belonging in this life have all benefited from the practice.