Appreciation

Appreciation is one of the highest vibrational states in which we can live. It is pure and positive and a reflection of unconditional love. True appreciation expresses itself from a state of presence. It is not a mind state, but a deep recognition of the true essence of what is being observed.

As I learn to live in mindful presence, I have discovered the joy of true appreciation. This doesn't result from trying, but from being and allowing. As discussed in my prior post, true peace and presence come from "an uncompromising yes to what is", or full acceptance of the present moment. And from this place comes true appreciation.

Appreciation is different than gratitude, which I would describe as a mind-based feeling. It is positive, but also contains an element of unworthiness. I'm all for gratitude practices, regular mindful identification of all we have to be grateful for, and a general "attitude of gratitude". All of this raises our vibration and takes us out of our issues and problems. And a higher vibration can bring us into alignment with our source, which, when in complete alignment, can also lead us to a state of unconditional love and appreciation.

By whatever means we get there, once we begin to live in a state of presence and acceptance of what is, we can experience the profound state of pure appreciation, seeing the beauty and abundance that surround us from the essence of our being.

Unconditional Yes to What Is

Over the past several weeks I’ve been listening to Eckhart Tolle on Audible (great for my walks). I have re-listened to The Power of Now and A New Earth after reading each not long after they were originally published. I have also listened to a recording of a retreat he conducted, entitled The Joy of Being. In that talk, he used the phrase ‘unconditional yes to what is’ in describing the process of living in the present moment, or more precisely, living in presence. I found this to be a great description of the state of mind in which we need to live if we are to truly live in presence. Although living in presence isn’t really a mind state, an ‘unconditional yes to what is’ is a clear characterization of where we actually live when we are present. We remain here, now, with whatever is happening, whether it be ‘good’ or ‘bad’. It just is what it is, and therefore we accept it unconditionally. This can then open the doorway into total presence from which we then move forward, take action, or whatever response may be required for the situation.

This takes a lot of practice and attention. And there will be lots of times where we will insist that it is not possible to accept what is, and that is okay. Acceptance doesn’t mean that we don’t feel pain or grief or unhappiness. It does, however put some space and peace around it, making our response to life much more productive and less stressful.

Eckhart Tolle says that if you practice being present for three mindful breaths every day for a year, it will change your life. I think it is worth a try.

The Guest House – A Rumi Poem

I have been reading A Year With Rumi a collection of 365 of Rumi’s poems translated by Coleman Barks. If you are not familiar, Rumi was a 13th century Sufi poet and although raised in Islamic tradition, his poetry was read and loved across cultures and religions. I loved the poem for the November 22 reading so much I wanted to share. Enjoy!

The Guest House This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all. Even if they are a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in. Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.