October 2022 | Contract
NOTE: This was originally published as part of my newsletter in October 2022. Subscribe to my newsletter to receive the next Om Letter direct to your inbox once a month.
To say it’s been a while would be an understatement, but the Om Letter is finally making a comeback! The past year and a half has truly been a whirlwind for me - as I’m sure it has been for you.
As you might expect, the two years of pandemic solitude provided me with many insights into my own teaching and yoga practice. And, although I have a deep appreciation for the online yoga world that opened up as soon as we all began to isolate, I came to realise that so much of my daily joy comes from moving and being in the same room as my students. So, as soon as studios began to open up again, I faced the daunting task of rebuilding my public teaching schedule almost from scratch.
For a while this challenge commanded all of my time and effort, but I am now in a place where those teaching opportunities that I had missed so dearly have become plentiful again which, in turn, gives me the freedom to reassess. Noticing where my efforts could be reduced so that I can reinvest my energy elsewhere - like this newsletter, which I have been meaning to return to.
As I would with a childhood friend, I will pick up right where I last left off: at the third foundation of Mindfulness known as Citta Sati - mindfulness of mind.
Mind vs Consciousness
In mindfulness practice, the mind is considered a non-physical phenomenon that perceives, thinks, recognises, experiences and reacts. Consciousness is present in every thought, perception and feeling, but it is dependent on the six senses and their contact with objects. For instance, when we hear the sound of bird song, sound consciousness arises and can lead us down a path of wondering what direction the sound came from, what species of bird it might have been etc. In its original form the mind itself is considered pure, but almost simultaneously with consciousness, other attributes such as desire, judgement, delusion or some related distraction arises. These conceal the beautiful simplicity of our mind from us and prevent us from seeing things as they really are.
Cleansing the Mind
As we can only know the mind through its contents, we cannot contemplate or focus on mind itself. In essence, this practice consists of noticing our own tendencies towards desire, hatred or ignorance. As they arise we make an effort to overcome them and eventually replace them with more beneficial states of mind.
We do this most effectively by focusing on two types of mindfulness meditation: samatha (one-pointed focus) and vipassana (insight meditation). Samatha gives us the tools to override these hindrances, bringing the mind into a state of peaceful calm. Vipassana then allows us to gain clarity about our true Self, which in turn enables us to break away from destructive thought patterns.
In Practice
Let me give you a common example to illuminate the practice of citta sati for you - while you are meditating, you hear a sound. Your neighbours dog is barking. Somebody walks by loudly. Someone nearby is coughing. Almost instantly aversion or anger arises. You get irritated and wonder: “Why can’t they train their dog properly? Why can’t they walk quietly? Why can’t they take some cold medicine to sort out this cough?” These questions and thoughts start to bother you. You start to get angry or irritated, but what should you do?
Pay attention to your thoughts without following them down the rabbit hole.
Observe the impact your emotions are having on your consciousness.
Do not judge your mind for having these thoughts - observe and recognise what has arisen as having arisen.
When the thought, craving or emotion passes, acknowledge that it has gone - this shows you that you hold the power to liberate your mind.
Reflect on the nature of this newly liberated mind - it is spacious, compassionate, gentle and generous. Hold on to these moments.
When the mind wanders off once again (as it inevitably will), begin again.
Hopefully this short introduction has sparked your curiosity to investigate further within your personal practice.
Monthly Mantra
“My darkest shadow is a portal to my brightest light”
October Playlist
A softly gentle playlist to carry you through this season of change into the stillness of winter
Featured Flow
You can find a full-length Yang to Yin Yoga practice inspired by the third of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness on my YouTube channel
Reading Recommendation
Ram Dass’ classic masterpiece ‘Be Here Now’ is an enticingly illustrated meditation on mindfulness as daily practice, and daily practice as the purest form of devotion
Thank you for reading - if you have any questions please feel free to reach out via email.
Copyright © 2022
Oceana Mariani
