Filling Your Vessel

Refilling Your Vessel With Joy

What is your vessel? Why does it need to be filled? What does it mean to be replenished? These are all wonderful questions.

Your vessel is you, all of you, everything inside you from organs, toenails, to a single blood cell. But it's not only your physical vessel but your spiritual and mental wellbeing.

Take a look around you, look at all the toxicity that we are exposed to on a daily basis. For example, the media. Several months ago I turned on a news channel, I typically will read an article instead of watch a live broadcast.

My first observation was how very loud the hosts were. This loudness right away cultivates an environment that's toxic, regardless of network or story.

Whom do you follow on social media? Do they promote a positive influence? Do they promote the wholesomeness that you want as a person? Or are they lashing out at someone else? Do they give you body positive affirmations or do you find yourself comparing to them. This is toxicity as well.

Consider movies and violent video games. Certainly there are many video games out there that are extremely violent.

All of these things add up to a toxic environment. A toxic environment we invite into ourselves. This steady inflow of negativity is what is taking us from our joy. Drop by drop making your vessel more toxic.

We are ourselves might not become violent but it certainly can lead to us becoming disconnected, becoming disengaged with the world around us. And if we keep exposing ourselves to these toxic environments we do not get to see that the beauty around us because we are feeling empty inside. As a result, you begin to lose the the true joy of what life has to offer.

Joy is like rain that waters the flowers during a drought, allowing us connect to people, not just the plants, but dogs, cats, and birds, all life.

Joy cultivates compassion and empathy towards others.

But how can we replenish our vessel and cultivate joy?

1. Disconnect. You can turn off your cell phone or computer so you won't be bombarded with irrelevant news and social media updates which are distractions from joy. If you have a landline this might be the better option for those necessary calls.

2. Games and entertainment. Be mindful of purchasing violent games and movies. Overexposure leads to desensitization. You may think that these are computer generated code or actors but humans have this ability to feel the emotions of imagery. Look at The Lion King or Frozen or Bambi. They're not real beings and we feel sorry for them or grow to love them. Now imagine constant exposure to the violence in entertainment media. They empty your vessel of joy.

3. Get back to nature. Take a 15 - 20 minute walk. Get out of your house or office. Walk in the park, or trail, a clear lake. No matter where you are in nature look at the smallest little details. Walk up to that tree and look at the bark. Feel the bark. Listen to the birds. Find a patch of grass that's no one's using, listen and observe. If you are on the beach, look at the amazing colors, all the different colors in the sand. The whites, blacks, and sometimes greens.

4. Boundaries. Minimize contact with negative and sarcastic people they're going to bring you down certainly you know if you will have to interact with them at work set the boundaries can you set those healthy boundaries you're going to have more positivity around you and if it persists you know they're always negative always negative always sarcastic just kindly remind that let the positive positively blossom in you cut the positive it also works with family boundaries with your family

5. Meditation. Thirty minutes a day is all you will need. You will experience relieving decompression even after your first sitting. But at this point the practices is still immature so give it a few weeks and you will notice a positive change because remember you have been living in a toxic environment for a very long time. So it will take time to replenish the joy.

We are what we consume, from what we eat, drink, read, watch, play, and listen to. Be mindful of what you allow in.

Wishing you peace and wellbeing,

Vladimir

Blue Lotus Mindfulness and Meditation Center is a registered 501(c)(3) religious organization.

Realizations From A Walking Meditation

Taking Time To Enjoy Nature

Each day, weather permitting, I enjoy a mindful walk. Removing myself from the confines of my home offers me the mindful opportunity to strengthen the connection I have with the natural world we all are a part of. This connection is vital to maintaining a mindfulness practice. 

Observing the small changes that occur over the course of the day are sometimes hard to notice. Leaves on trees grow at a slow pace, animal tracks are hard to distinguish as well, the fragrance of blooming flowers can be hard to discern as well depending on the breeze. But every now and then there is a large enough change that is readily seen, even from a distance.

Today, I had the fortune to find this large feather. It's from a Turkey Vulture. They come to roost every night on some of the trees nearby. Looking this feather with openness and curiosity I begin to wonder where this feather has been? What has it seen while it was still attached to this magnificent birds wing while in flight? Or even what it has witnessed when it had landed doing the necessary function that a Turkey Vulture does for our ecosystem.

As I let my mind flow freely, I then let my thoughts move to what we need in order to function and what we can let go. What am I holding onto that I no longer need? 

Perhaps this feather was bothersome to this individual bird and as a result not able to soar has high and far as it was able and let this feather go. It clearly had no need of this feather any longer as I do not see a Turkey Vulture walking on the ground.

Concepts, notions, and ideas can hold us back from achieving what we are capable of doing or seeing the best in people. For example, when you say to yourself 'I am no good at that task'. You promoting the notion that you are incapable of learning or improving. Or the idea that people cannot change is very limiting and does not take into account the adaptability that any one individual possess. 

Greed, anger, jealousy, and ego are only some of the ailments that hold us back as well as each of these further perpetuates suffering of self and others. Each one of these ailments may be viewed as a smoldering coal from the previous night's campfire waiting to burst into flames for destruction.

When we are mindful of ourselves and surroundings we are opening up to what the world truly teaches. When we are observant we begin to understand that letting go is important if we want to soar. It relieves us of the unnecessary burden of attachment. Whereas holding on to what no longer serves us is the baggage that keeps us from flight. 

Here, in this wonderful example nature has given, the loss of a single feather, we can learn the importance of letting go of what does not serve us in growth, lovingkindness, compassion, and empathy.

What are some of the observations or realizations you have experienced on a walking meditation?

Feel free to comment below.

Wishing you peace and ease.

Vladimir

Blue Lotus Mindfulness and Meditation Center is a registered 501(c)(3) religious organization.

Mindfulness and the Power of No

Mindfulness and People Pleasing

I often encounter people who think that being mindful revolves around being in a state of amiability to others whims and demands, not sticking up for our own wellbeing, or not offering resistance to doing a task, or someone who never says no. 

Whenever someone asks a mindfulness practitioner to complete a task, they are asking them to donate their precious time to this endeavor. Inherently there is nothing wrong with this as it certainly aligns with loving-kindness but doing too much can bring about anxiety. 

Imagine knowing that every time you see a particular person they do not ask about your day but instead offer more 'doings'.

But consider, what happens when we have difficulty saying no to every demand that is asked of us. Why are we afraid to say no? What could the consequences be if we did say no?

Most often we say yes because we want the other person to like us or that we feel an obligation of some sort even though we have internal reservations about saying yes. 

We people please instead of paying attention to our own wellbeing. We need to be mindful of the feeling inside us. It is there for a reason and as a mindfulness practitioner you know to be aware of it.

When we consider the Noble Eightfold Path we can align several of the tenants to people pleasing, chiefly Right Action, Right Mindfulness, and Right Thought.

Considering Right Action, although the task itself may be wholesome are we doing it without selfish agenda? Will we be completing this task with the care it deserves? We will not be completing this task virtuously but instead with some reservation.

Next, Right Mindfulness, we simply may not complete the task with the awareness or care it deserves. We may complete this task haphazardly which could have negative consequences in the future.  

Lastly, Right Thought, when we agree to do this task we may allow unwholesome thoughts to arise. Thoughts like 'Why am I always being singled out' or 'I do not like seeing my boss any longer'. These seeds of negativity, if nurtured, may grow into something more un-Buddhalike.

Perhaps we know that by saying yes to this task we will spread ourselves thin and we will not be able to complete this task, or another task already started, with the loving kindness it deserves. This too goes against Right Action and Right Mindfulness.

Loving kindness is not about being passive it is about balance. Saying yes all the time will make you the ‘go to’ person, but not in a loving way and this is not a balanced relationship with someone else nor with yourself.

So how do we mindfully reject someone?

When you do have to reject their request, remember to do it with loving kindness and even perhaps offer an explanation as to why you are rejecting the offer. For example, 'Thank you very kindly for considering me for this task but I am sorry I have to say no to this request. Adding more to my workload will result in a poor result'. 

Being honest offers understanding which in turn brings about harmony between two individuals.

Please feel free to post your comments below.

Wishing you all peace and ease,

Vladimir

Blue Lotus Mindfulness and Meditation Center is a registered 501(c)(3) religious organization.

Everything Is Temporary

The Only Constant Is Change

Many have experienced significant job loss or reduced hours especially during the time of COVID. If you have ordered an item online, you will have likely experienced shipping delays. No more going out to eat for the time being. Malls and department stores are closed. Store shelves are almost bare. Large gatherings are mostly prohibited, and government offices have been forced to handle business via mail.

This is a very different landscape we are all living in when compared to several months ago yet along last year.

So what does the current COVID pandemic have to do with being mindful? Mindfulness is about the non-judgmental awareness of our surroundings as well as feelings. Accepting what is happening as the current state of being. 

The time we are gifted, no matter how difficult it may be for some, allows each and everyone of us to earnestly self-reflect on what is truly important in living a mindful life. With a mindful perspective, this situation offers us a positive time for reflection and self-growth.

When we become complacent with temporary stability we do not often challenge ourselves. At this time I invite you to think back to how we describe people from the 'Greatest Generation'. People from this time were born between 1901 through the 1920s and lived through the Great Depression up to and including World War II.

But what qualities or characteristics made them so great?

Was there something innate amongst them that made them different than those of us today? All of them were present during the Great Depression, so something had to be different. Or does it? 

If you recall this period was a time of great food shortages, minimal employment opportunities were to be found, and the stock market crash of 1929 exasperated all of the social and economic situations, uncertainty was everywhere. But none the less, you are here because your great grandparents or grandparents focused on what was important to life, loving kindness and family.

They were mindful of the food they ate, the clothing they wore, and the loving time they spent with each other. They did not overindulge but instead found the necessary balance to achieve a stability and balance to enjoy what they had. And much like today, they too, lived in uncertain times.

What they practiced then was almost, and certainly unknowingly, mindfulness in a sense. They were aware of their surroundings and accepted what they had with heartfelt gratitude. 

When we understand that all things are impermanent, we do not get disappointed when situations change for what may seem for the worse. After all, we do not react the same way when things change for what may seem for the better. 

But what makes a certain change positive or negative? It is perspective. A rainy day in June would be welcome to a farmer to sustain her crops where it would be an unwelcome event to a groom on his outdoor wedding venue.

This time of uncertainty we are currently experiencing is temporary and affords us the often sought-after time to grow, time to reflect, and time to be with family. This is truly a precious time but as we have been taught by the Buddha even joyous times are temporary.

Please feel free to comment below.

Wishing you peace and ease,

Vladimir

Blue Lotus Mindfulness and Meditation Center is a registered 501(c)(3) religious organization.

Social Distance and Loving Kindness

Being Compassionately Aware Of Others Wellbeing.

In the current state of the world, it is important to mind our social distancing and wear masks when appropriate. Being mindfully aware of our spatial relationships, as well as our close interactions with others has now become forefront in our mindset in the challenge to ward off the Corona Virus. Some may feel that this is against what human beings are internally, and that is social beings. 

While this is true, humans do want to be near others for many reasons, socializing, shopping, or safety, we also have an innate sense of compassion towards others. We want to care for others without harming them. Others may feel that social distancing or wearing a mask intrudes upon their freedoms. 

Recall that true freedom is not what is written on paper but it is the liberation from holding on, accepting what is for what is, and knowing that all we experience is impermanent.

Minding our social distance to others exemplifies our loving kindness not only to others, but to ourselves. These actions reveal that we care about others wellbeing as much as we care about ourselves.

These practices also align with at least three tenants of the Eightfold Path (Right Intention, Right Thought, and Right Action).

As we navigate these unprecedented recent times and as practitioners of mindfulness, I am pleased to offer you some brief, yet relevant examples of how the Eightfold Path may be practiced during this time:

Right Intention - When I leave the home it is only for a necessary reason and will be for the briefest time possible. Among these necessary reasons are food shopping or doctor visits. 

Right Thought - When I navigate a food aisle I will plan my path to mind social distancing to protect myself as well as others wellbeing.

Right Action - If a food aisle is congested and I cannot navigate mindfully I can perhaps get another item on my list or maybe wait until social distances can be maintained. Prior to returning home using hand sanitizer and then when home washing your hands thoroughly.

I recently read an article about how a Pastor in Louisiana felt it necessary to hold Sunday church services despite a ban on large gatherings. Over 1,000 people were in attendance at his most recent service and he still wants to continue to offering these weekly events. I understood his justification as to why: people being self-quarantined for weeks and needing a source of connection with God and other human beings.

These actions do not display loving kindness and are not mindful of ourselves nor of others. In fact, they are selfish and do not display Right Intention, Right Thought, and Right Action. God does not care if you love him in a designated area on a weekly basis He cares how we treat ourselves and one another on a daily basis.

As we face an uncertain future, please continue to show your loving kindness towards yourself as well as others during these challenging times and remember this will pass as everything we experience is temporary.

Please feel free to comment below.

Wishing you peace and ease,

Vladimir

Blue Lotus Mindfulness and Meditation Center is a registered 501(c)(3) religious organization.

The Controlling Self

Letting Go Of The Future.

Put your hand over your heart. Take a few moments to feel the pulse of each beat.

Feel your breathing. Take a few moments to feel each rise and fall of each breath. 

Can you stop or control either one? For how long?

Think about a time when you said something you later regretted (either right then or later). 

How did it make you feel? Was that the real ‘you’?

In some sense we all want to control ourselves and others as well as situations. But are any of these actually feasible?

With the exception of yourself most often the answer is no. We are not in control of others behavior, no matter our position in relation to them. What you are in control of is yourself and how you react to a situation.

When I say 'a situation' remember, I am not only referring to something what may be perceived as negative but it very well could be positive in our perspective.

But what is control at it's very essence? Control is the desire to influence the future to your benefit. Is this type of manipulation something that is even possible?

Think again of when you tried to control your breath a few moments ago. You were able to withhold your breath for only a few moments. After that your body probably started to feel discomfort. You soon realized it was necessary to let go of trying to control and let each breath return to a normal rhythm. There was only so much we could do.

People and situations are very much like this exercise in holding your breath, there is only so much you may do and each person will behave in accordance to their own rhythm, whether it is positive, neutral, or negative.

Let's think of an example that is almost always interpreted as negative - a cheating significant other.

How would you react?

Most would be extremely hurt and because of this hurt they may react violently towards the other either physically, or verbally, or both. This lashing out is a result of hurt ego. An ego that wants to control a certain behavior of another.

However when you step back and view the situation from an entirely different perspective you may see that you were more deserving of a partner who respects you. Often though this realization comes too late or, because of a hurt ego, not at all. Remember, it is never acceptable to act violently towards another.

Let's look at another example, one that could be viewed as positive - a work promotion.

You've worked at a company for many years and finally get the recognition and promotion you feel deserving of. With this promotion comes the added responsibility of leadership.

Being in a position of leadership can often give someone the feeling of control and arrogance. And because of this newly vested authority, you want to make a good impression with your superiors and begin to micromanage the most mundane tasks. This makes your subordinates uneasy and resentful, perhaps to the point of requesting a transfer or even resigning their position. This type of control is an example of an inflated ego.

Maintaining balance within oneself is vital to harmony, not only for your benefit but for the benefit of others as well. Daily reflection or meditation is often necessary to help one achieve the balance that is often sought. So please, take the time to develop your inner being. 

As always, please feel free to post your comments or replies below.

Wishing you peace and ease,

Vladimir

Blue Lotus Meditation And Mindfulness Center is a registered 501(c)(3) religious organization.

Mindfulness: Setting Up Your Home Office and Working from Home

Setting Up Your Mindful Workspace.

With the challenging times we are facing here in the US and across the world some companies are requiring their employees to work from home entirely. To some, this may seem bittersweet, no commute, no traffic, no one around you to disturb you but now needing to pay attention to social distancing and everything that comes along with mitigating the spread of the Corona virus.

Setting up your home office to work efficiently is not an easy task as you may have found out or are about to. I’ve worked from home for about 5 years now and am happy to share some tips to help you work mindfully in your new surroundings.

Extra Time. One of the first things you’ll notice is the time you’ve saved getting ready in the morning. No more traffic or early morning showers can easily add 2 hours to your day, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should sleep in late or work more hours.

Develop a routine. This may not be as easy as it sounds because you’re now in a new work dynamic regardless of your location. Expect difficulties, accept that they will occur, and find a solution. What you come up with at first may not be what you end up with. Keep that in mind and be flexible as you find what works best for you.

Exercise. Now that you don’t have to commute to a work location use that time to take care of yourself. You don’t need to spend an entire hour working out at home as 30 – minutes is enough. YouTube has great contributors with content to suit your needs. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect to your being.

No TV. Keep it off. It’s an unnecessary distraction and prohibits you from focusing on the task at hand.

Work Laptop. If your company has provided you with a computer don’t use it for personal use. No email, no bill paying, no reading anything on it that does not relate to your job.

Office location. Make sure it’s comfortable for you and do not work on your bed or bedroom. Your bedroom should not be a work environment but should be where you retreat after a long day.

Office set-up. It doesn’t need to be fancy; it only needs to be serene and comfortable.

Breaks. Like working at your former physical office location where you had breaks why not do the same here. Work for 2-3 hours and then take a 15-20-minute break.

Lunch. Take it! Don’t answer emails or calls. This is your time to reconnect with your being.

End of your day. When your workday is over, it’s over. Respect the boundary between your professional life and your personal life. If you let either encroach on the other, you end up being unbalanced with the harmony you’re working so hard to develop.

I understand this is a new experience for most and am more than happy to help in any way I can. Please feel free to reach out and I will do all I can.

Wishing you peace and ease,

Vladimir

Blue Lotus Meditation And Mindfulness Center is a registered 501(c)(3) religious organization.