dailydatewithgod

It is almost incomprehensible the degree to which we are often the cause of our own suffering. In my experience, my suffering is less related to actual physical or emotional pain and more connected to the meaning and story I create out of what I am experiencing. It is not as though any of us set out to create stories and meaning that will cause suffering. We simply fall prey to the machinations of our minds automation and forget to keep it in check. Based on our need to survive our minds will create any construct which ensures our survival. As long as the system is still operating, survival will sign off on it. Given the number of potential obstacles to survival, our minds are on guard for anything that has a hint of threat. God encourages us to use the system of our heart and breath to take it down a notch. Using our breath to bring our minds into a state of awareness is what can chip away at the perceived immediacy of a threat. When it comes to the distinction between something that is actually happening and our perception of that happening as being a threat we need the energy of our hearts to have the courage to face the reality. Rest assured if we are in a real place of threat, our bodies will jump into action. If upon reflection we recognize that the action is not warranted we can notice that we are reacting to a perceived threat that is not actually present in the moment we are reacting. Maybe it is from the past or maybe it is from a projected future. The notch we are invited to use to bring us back to the present moment is our breath. It seems too simple but in actuality, it is a game-changing notch towards responding authentically to reality. I am not sure about you, but whenever I fight reality, I lose. There are may be many notches needed to slowly deescalate from reacting but it starts with our breath and introducing our heart’s energy into the equation. It is the notch that allows us to open up a deep relationship with the spirit of life that moves in and out of us all the time.