In the movie The Last Samurai, Tom Cruise’s character learns from his Samurai captors how the state of “no-mind” helps him be a better fighter.
In Eckhart Tolle’s book Practicing the Power of Now, he puts no-mind to use for more mundane stuff:
Instead of “watching the thinker,” you can also create a gap in the mindstream simply by directing the focus of your attention into the Now. Just become intensely conscious of the present moment. This is a deeply satisfying thing to do. In this way, you draw the consciousness away from mind activity and create a gap of no-mind in which you are highly alert and aware but not thinking. This is the essence of meditation. In everyday life, you can practice this by taking any routine activity that normally is only a means to an end and giving it your fullest attention, so that it becomes an end in itself. For example, every time you walk up and down the stairs… wash your hands…”
Here’s Part I of a snapshot of how this went for me this morning. I wasn’t quite ready to take on a gang of Nazi skinheads by the time I was done, but Tolle’s right, it’s a satisfying thing to do.
I’m sitting in the rocking chair in our living room, the place I like to sit in the wee hours of the morning, drinking my first cup of coffee, reading my favorite daily quotes, reviewing my compass, doing a little spiritual reading, and planning my day.
I close my eyes and focus on my breathing.
I’m breathing in, I know I’m breathing in. I’m breathing out, I know I’m breathing out.
5 seconds later
I hear the furnace making that noise again. I wonder if the service guy is coming back this morning?
WATCH THE THINKER
Ah, I don’t need to think about that now. Just focus on breathing.
I’m breathing in, I know I’m breathing in. I’m breathing out, I know I’m breathing out.
5 seconds later
I hear a car. Sounds like a hot rod. Last night I was talking with Gilly about American Graffiti. I need to plan our weekly date night. I should meet with my sons this week when I’m in the cities. Next week I’ll meet with my own sibs. My brother and I are going to have an argument…
WATCH THE THINKER
Hmmm. I notice FEAR kicking in now. I better take some time later to figure out what that’s about. But I don’t need to bother about that now, I just want to sit here with no-mind, breathing.
I’m breathing in, I know I’m breathing in. I’m breathing out, I know I’m breathing out.
5 seconds later
Shit, my shoulder aches. I’m planning for my knee to be ready to play a racquetball tourney in 6 weeks but what if my shoulder isn’t ready? It’d be cool if I came back after a 6 month layoff and wowed a lot of guys on how well I’m playing.
WATCH THE THINKER
I notice DESIRE kicking in. I’m planning for a racquetball ego orgasm. Mistaken idea. But I don’t need to bother about that now, I just want to sit here with no-mind, breathing.
I’m breathing in, I know I’m breathing in. I’m breathing out, I know I’m breathing out.
5 seconds later
I gotta get going. Lots of work to do. Need more new weblog clients this month, as I’m behind on monthly income goals and Robbie’s getting more worried.
WATCH THE THINKER
I notice FEAR kicking in. What’s that about? Must have some mistaken ideas about money. But I don’t need to bother about that now, I just want to sit here with no-mind, breathing. And this time, I’m going to focus on physical sensations to see if I can stick with no-mind a little longer.
I’m breathing in, I know I’m breathing in. I’m breathing out, I know I’m breathing out. I feel my stomache expanding and contracting, feeling my breath puffing out my lips as I exhale. I hear my breath. Sounds like I’m wearing scuba gear. I can feel it in the back of my throat.
30 seconds later
Ahhhhh
(More to come in Part II of no-mind.)