Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Buddhism

ellenrr

(3,865 posts)

4. Interesting. Being mindful doesn't mean we don't care.

Reply to GliderGuider (Original post)

Sat Dec 12, 2015, 07:10 AM

Dec 2015

If I walk past someone drowning, I am not going to think, 'person drowning' and walk on by.
I don't know anything about enlightenment, but I have been practicing being mindful of my thoughts.
And what I find is that observing my thoughts/feelings,
Noting them,
gives me some distance, some disengagement with the thot or the emotion.

I don't have to act on every thought.

And I am noticing that what I learn from this is the meaningless and non-importance of my thots. What seemed so dire last week, has faded from my mind, to be replaced by today's "dire thoughts".

Thank you for your post.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

5 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

I Don't Mind [View all] GliderGuider Nov 2015 OP

I don't mind, but I do care. MasonDreams Nov 2015 #1

That's an important distinction, isn't it. GliderGuider Nov 2015 #2

You are Knowing It. Good Wishes on the Wind that flies through prayer flags. MasonDreams Nov 2015 #3

Interesting. Being mindful doesn't mean we don't care. ellenrr Dec 2015 #4

I think Buddhism is all about learning to be compassionate. leftyladyfrommo Jan 2016 #5