In last month’s message I addressed focus. From the feedback we’ve gotten internationally from the Golden Flower Community, developing focus is of interest to many people. This is a vast subject and I’d like to explore it more deeply with you now.
Many times our focus gets attached to triviality. We’re so focused on the small things on our to do lists we ignore big things like our relationships, taking care of ourselves, and creating an authentic life. Many times we tell ourselves that we’re not taking care of the big things because we don’t have enough time or money. For instance there might be a dream trip you’ve been eager to go on knowing you really need some time to play and relax. But instead of focusing on how to make the trip a reality in your life you become distracted and repeatedly focus on the story that you have too much to do to take time off, or that your resources are low.
When we do that we’ve forgotten about the power of focus. We’ve forgotten that we have the power to create the life we want. We’ve forgotten how important it is for our health to prioritize fun, friends and personal growth in our lives.
The reality is that life is going to go the way it goes, sometimes in unexpected directions. This is where flow comes into play. If you can remain focused on what is truly important to you, if you can feel into the flow instead of fighting it, all the help and support you need will come to you. You will start connecting with your real life, the one that is always there underneath your day-to-day activities.
Just like it is important to begin each day with The Be Here Now Process and by focusing on gratitude and what it is you want to create that day, it is very helpful to step away from your typical day-to-day existence. The benefits of taking a break from your daily life are immense, whether it is for one day, a few days or even a week. These breaks (like going for a long hike in the mountains or attending a weekend workshop or travelling for a week or more) offer you a valuable opportunity. This time offers you space to step back, to rejuvenate, to re-check and re-set your focus.
When you re-set your focus you can better maintain it when you re-enter the flow of your day-to-day life. You are better able to find your center and stay there. Your mind more easily enters a different, more laser-focused space and you can connect with your true-life experiences deeply and consciously. When you connect to your center, you connect with more and more true-life experiences, finding your true place.
There is no road map to this true place. You find it through using tools like the Be Here Process and Standing Chi Gong which shows you who you really are beyond your body, your emotions and your thoughts.
Standing Chi Gong can be challenging for some people. For the first five minutes or so your mind tends to be focused on how long you’ve been standing, when you can stop, how your legs or arms are feeling. But when you are able to stay in place past these first few minutes, something begins to happen. Your mind begins to shift out of awareness with time.
The domination of the clock, of how much time we have, is very strong for most of us. But there is one thing that will easily break that domination… focus. When you are deeply focused time disappears. Think back to when you have been completely focused on a dynamic heart-conversation. Hours can go by in a without you noticing. The same is true when you’re lost in doing something you deeply love or are excited by like playing music or walking on the beach. With practice and focus you can also reach these same states during meditation and Standing Chi Gong.
I invite you to spend some time thinking about where your focus has been lately. How often is your mind caught up by trivial matters and how often are you focused on what you want in your life, what you are creating so that you may be fulfilled, happy and serving your true purpose.
~ Master San Gee Tam