I am inspired to write this blog because my meditation skills and calmness have been put to the test lately, and I have gained deeper insight into the benefits and application of the Spirit of Spirit as developed in mindfulness meditation. The old Buddhist meditation manuals state that Felicity is fully achieved after controlling concentration meditation mentioned in Buddhist terms Shamatha meditation. But what does it really mean to have the spirit of the Spirit, and how does mindfulness meditation help?
Concentration meditation is a typical type of meditation that is common for most Buddhist and Hindu traditions. There is nothing mystical about it, but it is not that easy either. It is just the training to sit still in meditation and single-mindedly focus on an object, whether it be your breathing, a visualization in mind, or simply observing your posture. I have become a member of the modern meditation movement and call it mindfulness, like many other meditation teachers today, because you are just aware of something with a non-judging consciousness without being distracted.
This kind of mindfulness meditation helps to develop a stable mind that is not easily disturbed by strong emotions, can easily concentrate on the chosen object, and is lively with clarity. All that was always logical for me, but how can one focus on an object without getting rid of a flexible mind? It was only recently when I returned to work with a job that involved caring for traumatized teenagers that I realized how these skills translate into vital skills for the mind. In retreat or in daily meditation, I experienced clarity and peace, but it was only when I was challenged by teenagers who abused me, demanded my attention, and even physically threatened me that I realized how my meditation skills are truly essential in difficult living conditions.
It is not the focus on an object in mindfulness meditation that increases the flexibility of the mind; it is the introspection I had developed by noticing when my mind was distracted and then releasing from the distraction and gently returning to my meditation. It is in this mental gymnastics that I have developed the mental skills that support my adaptability in difficult situations.
Mindfulness meditation is often taught as a way to be aware without being trapped in the mind, and that is fine on your pillow, as a therapeutic tool, or to calm down on a break. But during daily life, we regularly have to use our minds and the thinking process. Being able to remove my mind from one way of thinking and to assume a new way of thinking that has been adapted to the situation helps enormously. Adaptation is a quality that helps us to survive and thrive in the ever-changing circumstances of life. Changing or consciously choosing your perspective is a powerful tool for understanding and connecting with others and also achieving freedom of mind. As Deepak Chopra said:
“Every time you are tempted to respond in the same old way, ask yourself if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future.”
Pliancy of Mind also helps to develop wisdom and to take on new knowledge. By entertaining the possibility of entertaining the perspectives of other people without being dogmatic that you are right, you can learn new things and challenge your own ideas that may need to be updated.
As Albert Einstein once said clearly:
“The benchmark for intelligence is the ability to change.”
Not having pliancy can be seen in a stagnant and stubborn mind that often needs familiarity and routine to feel safe. That can be good until things change, as they inevitably do. Maybe you are stuck in a rut and can’t get your mind to try new things. Maybe you resist change and even sabotage it so you don’t have to change. Or maybe you are stuck in old opinions or an outdated self-image. These are all examples of how a mind that is not flexible will suffer and harden.
The fundamental mindfulness skills that I am talking about here is the mental ability to place your mind on what you want to concentrate on and not to be determined by habits or preconceived ideas. This includes the ability to drop a thought immediately and return to a clear and fresh state of mind. This is especially important for good mental health because negative states of mind are often associated with rumination and being stuck in thinking that is not beneficial and can last not just for a few hours but sometimes for months or even years. Not being able to let go of resentment, regret, or negative judgments about yourself or others is really a sign of a rigid mind.
“The ability of pliancy prevents us from developing unilateral views and getting stuck in our ways. Circumstances always change in our lives, and it is a mental flexibility that helps us to flow with change.”
We often have goals that are too narrow and restrictive. With a flexible spirit, you can adapt to new changing circumstances, and even if things don’t go exactly as you wanted, you can easily see opportunities in the new situation instead of rigidly holding onto exactly what you want. Don’t let goals be too fixed; stay flexible and leave room for intuitive changes.
Having a flexible spirit helps to embrace change in our lives and try new things. Having a flexible spirit makes it workable, manageable, and easy to adapt, able to work for your benefit and for others around you. Through the skills developed in mindfulness meditation, you can easily transition from one thing to another consciously and deliberately. Being able to move as desired and to maintain stability is Mind’s Pliancy.
Through Mindfulness meditation training, we start to create the space to see that our personalities are not fixed. The idea of no-self in Buddhism really means that there is no permanent self with which you must assume the most suitable character in every circumstance. Go with the flow of ever-changing events, be sensitive to subtle changes, and be flexible enough to adapt accordingly. You can even experiment and try new ways to be in the world. You can try to be more assertive at work, playful with children, or try to be friendlier to strangers.
With a flexible spirit, you do not have to act in the same old ways; you can change, drop habits that are not of service to you or others, and adopt habits that are beneficial for your health, happiness, and relationships. With the understanding that there is no permanent self and nothing that dictates your behavior, you can experience true freedom to be who you want and play with life by tapping into the infinite possibilities of real creative expression.
Pliancy of Mind is like the ability to bend and sway with the changing winds of life. Just as a tree that is too stiff will easily break, if your mind is too rigid and set in its ways, it can easily be disturbed and traumatized. A flexible spirit can bend and flow with circumstances without breaking and therefore manage the inevitable changes in life with flexibility.
Written by Chad Foreman
Chad Foreman is the founder of The Way of Meditation, since 2003 has learned meditation, determined to bring authentic meditation practices into the lives of millions of people in the modern world. Chad is a former Buddhist monk who has lived for 6 years in a retreat hut with full-time studying and practicing meditation. He now has over twenty years of experience in teaching meditation. Chad regularly hosts meditation retreats on the Sunshine Coast Australia and offers online meditation coaching through three online programs – The 21-Days Meditation, Breath, and The Bliss of Inner Fire. You can now also get the free e-book from Chad, Insights en route.