[2024 October DCTB Mindfulness Tip]
Life is change. And with change comes confusion. Sometimes this confusion is mild and evaporates quickly. Other times we become mired in it, swirling around and around. But in any case, confusion always precedes clarity.
It’s tempting to want to jump past the confusion state. After all, confusion is very uncomfortable. It can even be downright scary. When our mind is overrun by confusion, we feel overwhelmed by the slightest disturbance. Making any decision feels too intense. The anxiety can make us shut down and binge watch videos and social media – all in a misguided attempt to find comfort in this most annoying place!
Confusion is actually a good sign.
Confusion means we are ready for change. It means we are open to something new. It is the preparation for a big shift in our being and in our world.
When we are beset by confusion, the routines of our spiritual practice are excellent supports. We meditate, practice mindfulness, and contemplate – in other words, we pay attention. We watch all that arises and falls away. We remember we are not the self who is confused, yet we see the confusion. We do not run away. We stay put and experience it fully.
As we pay attention, we notice how we try to run away from the confusion. How we try to create order from the chaos. How we attempt to go back to how we were before the confusion hit. Eventually we figure out there is no going back.
There is only this moment, in all its glory.
Now we can pay attention to what has created the confusion. What changed? Do we need to adapt to an alteration in our environment? Or did something inside our mind shift? Did a relationship change? Is there a decision we need to make? What changed?
We keep honing in, peeling back the layers, seeking the precise issue that is feeding the confused state.
Writing in a journal can help us sort through the pile of feelings and thoughts. Crying or doing physical exercise can help us release any stuck energy. Cleaning our home or desk can wipe away anything that is cluttering up our view. Talking with a friend or therapist can give us perspective. We do what is needed to process the emotions and release the obstructions. As we do these things, we allow the mind to ruminate. We keep the focus on the issue to see if there’s anything deeper going on. We pay attention.
Confusion is not something we fix.
It’s not a flat tire. We don’t just change to the spare. Confusion is an essential part of the growth process. When we step into the unknown, it is confusing for the mind and body. It’s important to honor this part, even with the discomfort it can cause.
The confusion reaches a crescendo and we crack. The light of awareness breaks through and we finally see the real issue. And if we are brave, we confront it with an open heart. Once we make the commitment to deal with the root cause, confusion recedes and clarity dawns. We find ourselves doing what needs to be done.
When lost in the mire, take heart; confusion always precedes clarity.
To explore the supports offered by the spiritual pathway of Trikaya Buddhism, join us at our next public meditation session at Dharma Center of Trikaya Buddhism.
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