Thrive and Awaken® Tip

Pause, notice the space between your thoughts. Can you experience emptiness?

Our thoughts are vital to our well-being and functioning in the world. Our emptiness is just as vital. The emptiness is the realm of possibility.

We are often uncomfortable with emptiness. Notice when you are waiting in line and feel the strong urge to check your phone.  A busy mind feels productive, engaged, and safe. This impulse to keep the mind busy keeps us in Survival Mode. It’s natural as constant vigilance of our surroundings once kept our ancestors safe from predators.

Thriving Mode has two essential qualities of the mind. One is being mindful of what you are thinking, so you can consciously choose what serves your best interests. The second is being comfortable with longer intervals of emptiness. Meditation helps develop this capacity. As you cultivate a focused and quiet mind, a balance naturally emerges between the two hemispheres of the brain. Emptiness then becomes a source of inspiration, creativity, and possibility.

In Awakening Mode, the quiet mind becomes more prominent and gently holds space for the busy mind, much like the sky holds birds and clouds as they move through it. This creates a greater sense of flow across all situations.

If you are new to this work, begin by noticing and appreciating the emptiness between thoughts. If that feels comfortable, allow yourself to sense the peace, presence, and quiet excitement that arise when resting in the mystery and magic of emptiness.