At one time I did believe something along those lines, though I'd rephrase it now:

The soul (consciousness, awareness) is hidden behind the color of the mind's thoughts. Once we become aware of this we become closer to what we truly are.

So then...... the color of the minds thoughts are creating a dirty lens that the true self cannot see through, is that what you are saying? The colors represent ego, all the things we think we are, rather then what we truly are.

Exactly! We are that which never changes.

The best explanation I've heard is from Eckhart Tolle. The last 9 or so minutes of this video starting at 1:29:00 explains it best for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KopmSpe33Eg

By the way, I'm discovering how amazingly powerful a tool mindfulness is in cleaning my dirty lens.

"The soul (consciousness, awareness) is hidden behind the color of the mind's thoughts. Once we become aware of this we become closer to what we truly are"

I agree.

Very nice thread. I find that my best healing comes when I am not chasing the ideas of why I am sad, but when I am practicing mindfulness. Then the true emotions bubble to the surface, with no story attached, just feelings being released . Very cleansing.

But then, this forum gives me a place to posses the story. It too has it's place, and has been very beneficial, but I find that it pulls me away from mindfulness. I feel the need for a balance between the two. This is a very welcomed thread. Thank You,

Maybe posting the stories helps to bring them to your attention and awareness?

I'm taking an audio course, and each segment has exercises to practice. The one titled "Abdication of Power' suggests the following templates to journal the internal chatter behind emotions:

I am creating this emotion I'm feeling through the agreements and beliefs I have about the weather, traffic, person, myself

I am making myself feel this way through the mechanism of my agreements about this situation, this event, this deadline

I am creating this fear inside me with my thoughts of what other people will think of me when I do/say x, y or z

That sounds very interesting. I use to study allot, that sounds up my alley. The internal rules and regulations we have, where they came from and how important we think they are. Also interesting to me is why people get really bent when someone has a different set of rules and regulations, that was one of the most important things I have learned in this world, and makes everything make sense. I like the way each question starts with, "I am" It makes it present and accountable. I hope you share more of what your learning, it really helps to do more then just rehash what is now the past.

If you're interested, check my latest journal entry, specifically the link to pathwaytohappiness.

There's a ton of free stuff on the site - articles, blogs, pod casts, videos - and I've just gone through the 4 free audio session of the basic self mastery course.

I find it all very refreshing.

I've really enjoyed what you both have had to say. Thank you. What you said, Whipple, about balancing mindfulness with getting the pain out, resonates with me. I find myself being exhausted by both lately.
This site is WONDERFUL, but at the same time, I often need to take a break. I get overwhelmed by everyone's stories and pain. And I feel like sometimes it makes me hurt more.
I have found the words of Pema Chodron, Eckhart Tolle and Marianne Williamson speak to me. I haven't ever latched on to every premise, but even if I pick up 10% of the meaning on a page or video, it makes an impact. But it's an EFFORT. It doesn't come easily right now.
I find myself feeling like I should be in the moment, yet feeling true pain that I can't seem to successfully get past and be in the moment for long. I believe in the thought that there is only love or fear. If you're not acting out of love, you're acting out of fear. Yet, I can't apply that to why it hurts. If I put aside my fear of being alone for the rest of my life, which I think I can. How does it explain the pain I feel about being judged by someone I trusted and loved so much. For not being seen for me after so much emotional intimacy. And the sadness of not having a hug, or companionship. What are those a fear of? I keep trying to take a step back and be the observer, but I find myself still not finding peace with the pain. Sorry for the tangent, and the highjack of a sweet thread. I'm tired, sad and confused the past few days. And I'm trying really hard to be in the now. I pushed my ex to do so when he would ruminate about the past, but yet I can't even do it myself!

I think it's a balance of them both Sweetirie. What is all the wisdom without something to apply it to. I too get overwhelmed with all the stories, mine included, but when you have all these tools to work your way through them, so that they are a blessing in the end, a way to learn who you are, and to see the world a little more lightly. It takes a balance of them both to grow.

"I haven't ever latched on to every premise, but even if I pick up 10% of the meaning on a page or video, it makes an impact. But it's an EFFORT. It doesn't come easily right now."

I like what Bruce Lee had to say:

Absorb what is useful, Discard what is not, Add what is uniquely your own.

As far as it not coming easily, I think that's to be expected. It's an approach 180 degrees in opposition to how we are conditioned to go through life.


"I find myself feeling like I should be in the moment, yet feeling true pain that I can't seem to successfully get past and be in the moment for long."

I'm almost three years removed from my last big emotional trauma, my life is relatively tranquil now and I've been working quite hard the past several months at my awareness and I'm just beginning to scratch the surface. It takes time and work. It's a process and I believe if you give it enough time and effort it will eventually bear fruit.

As far as pain, yeah, there's true pain. Not the suffering we create with our stories, but honest and authentic pain we feel from loss. To deny that would be to deny our humanity. This also takes time to subside.

Just being aware there's another way is a big step! Having the courage to begin to explore it is a huge step.

A journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step.