Knowledge is an accumulation of memory and is rooted in history rather than in the present moment. And because it is past oriented it can interfere with our ability to really see what is around us right now. If we think we already know what is there our vision is constricted by those thoughts. And because there is both ego involvement and unconscious attachment to “being right” we often tend to rely on knowledge more than awareness. Knowledge is extremely valuable, but it is the combination of knowledge, awareness, and curiosity that allows wonders to unfold.
If we can find a way to keep our perception unadulterated by our fears and assumptions, we might be able to see more clearly and make better decisions. A huge percentage of our thoughts are repetitive and therefore limit us to the patterns of living that we already know, sometimes referred to as "the same old same old”. We might be better able to see the beauty and the truth of what surrounds us if we could stop thinking about it for a moment, and just observe and be fully present. Some mornings as I am driving on a causeway bridge at sunrise I am struck so strongly by the beauty of the light on the water that my thoughts are wiped away and I can only perceive and appreciate. Fortunately my unconscious mind takes over the driving, and I am granted a moment of bliss that seems to make my whole day better.
There is a story about Marlin Perkins of “Wild Kingdom” fame and his wife Carol, who did not fully share Marlin’s passion for being up close and personal with animals. According to the story, one evening on an expedition in Africa, Carol was preparing for bed when a large lizard ran up her body and down her arm. Her response was to scream in terror and become very upset. Once he had comforted and soothed his wife, Marlin’s response was to offer her a reframe of the experience: “Honey, think how lucky you were to see him up close”.
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” Albert Einstein
If we can find a way to keep our perception unadulterated by our fears and assumptions, we might be able to see more clearly and make better decisions. A huge percentage of our thoughts are repetitive and therefore limit us to the patterns of living that we already know, sometimes referred to as "the same old same old”. We might be better able to see the beauty and the truth of what surrounds us if we could stop thinking about it for a moment, and just observe and be fully present. Some mornings as I am driving on a causeway bridge at sunrise I am struck so strongly by the beauty of the light on the water that my thoughts are wiped away and I can only perceive and appreciate. Fortunately my unconscious mind takes over the driving, and I am granted a moment of bliss that seems to make my whole day better.
There is a story about Marlin Perkins of “Wild Kingdom” fame and his wife Carol, who did not fully share Marlin’s passion for being up close and personal with animals. According to the story, one evening on an expedition in Africa, Carol was preparing for bed when a large lizard ran up her body and down her arm. Her response was to scream in terror and become very upset. Once he had comforted and soothed his wife, Marlin’s response was to offer her a reframe of the experience: “Honey, think how lucky you were to see him up close”.
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” Albert Einstein
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