General Information
Passion and determination are admirable qualities. The “git-r-done” attitude is part of the American character and is celebrated in popular culture. We bestow high honors on those who have a “fire in the belly” for the common good. We are told to pursue our passions with uncompromising commitment if we want to claim our share of the American Dream. Unfortunately, we pay a very high price for this part of the American Character.
When we push this idea to the extreme we end up being disconnected from our own bodies. This is “no pain, no gain” carried out to the greatest degree. We push through not only our pain but through the suffering that grows out of it. Pain tells us that our body has reached its threshold of efficiency. Pushing just beyond that point allows the body to stretch and grow in strength and endurance. When this is done a little at a time under a disciplined, well-monitored plan, we can do extraordinary things. But, when the pain begins tearing away at our bodies, causing damage, it becomes suffering. In order to continue pushing we must disconnect ourselves from the pain and the suffering it has caused. This causes very real, long-term damage to our lives.
But, there is another devastating result of this disconnection. As we become disconnected from our own suffering we also become disconnected from the suffering of others. As we deny the physical consequences of our actions in our own bodies, we, in turn, deny the physical consequences for those around us. By becoming insensitive to the suffering of others our capacity for empathy and understanding slips away. We become less capable of responding to the suffering of others and our spirit withers as we descend into a Radical Individualist, devoid of a social conscience or commitment. We become part of a self-destructive society. Granted, this is the extreme scenario but, if we are honest, we can see evidence of this in our daily lives.
This does not deny the value of disciplined, well-planned exercise or commitments to our passions. But is does reflect an underlying current in our lives that places individual achievement, rather than the common good, as the final arbiter of value and worth. Ultimately, this leads to increased suffering for ourselves and those with whom we live.
When we push this idea to the extreme we end up being disconnected from our own bodies. This is “no pain, no gain” carried out to the greatest degree. We push through not only our pain but through the suffering that grows out of it. Pain tells us that our body has reached its threshold of efficiency. Pushing just beyond that point allows the body to stretch and grow in strength and endurance. When this is done a little at a time under a disciplined, well-monitored plan, we can do extraordinary things. But, when the pain begins tearing away at our bodies, causing damage, it becomes suffering. In order to continue pushing we must disconnect ourselves from the pain and the suffering it has caused. This causes very real, long-term damage to our lives.
But, there is another devastating result of this disconnection. As we become disconnected from our own suffering we also become disconnected from the suffering of others. As we deny the physical consequences of our actions in our own bodies, we, in turn, deny the physical consequences for those around us. By becoming insensitive to the suffering of others our capacity for empathy and understanding slips away. We become less capable of responding to the suffering of others and our spirit withers as we descend into a Radical Individualist, devoid of a social conscience or commitment. We become part of a self-destructive society. Granted, this is the extreme scenario but, if we are honest, we can see evidence of this in our daily lives.
This does not deny the value of disciplined, well-planned exercise or commitments to our passions. But is does reflect an underlying current in our lives that places individual achievement, rather than the common good, as the final arbiter of value and worth. Ultimately, this leads to increased suffering for ourselves and those with whom we live.
Tip -- Reconnecting through Breathing
Breathing air is not an individual event. We all breathe the same air, literally. How many times has the air in your lungs been inhaled and exhaled? How many times has it been taken in and pushed out by the plants and animals that have inhabited the planet earth from the dawn of life?
The ancients believed that the air we breathe is like the spirit that infused our bodies with life. They noticed that when we ceased to breath we ceased to live. The last exhale signified death. Many of the ancient languages claimed the word for wind or air to describe and denote breath and spirit. Each breath we take has been breathed by untold billions of plants and animals. It connects us with one another in a profound way. We are of one breath, one spirit, and it reminds us that we are alive and connected to all life that has ever existed.
With these ideas in your mind, I invite you to engage in a breathing exercise when you feel yourself being tempted to disconnect from your body.
By remembering our interdependence with others for the air we breathe we will find it easier to step back from the brink of self-destruction from being disconnected from our bodies and embrace our place in the living creation called life.
The ancients believed that the air we breathe is like the spirit that infused our bodies with life. They noticed that when we ceased to breath we ceased to live. The last exhale signified death. Many of the ancient languages claimed the word for wind or air to describe and denote breath and spirit. Each breath we take has been breathed by untold billions of plants and animals. It connects us with one another in a profound way. We are of one breath, one spirit, and it reminds us that we are alive and connected to all life that has ever existed.
With these ideas in your mind, I invite you to engage in a breathing exercise when you feel yourself being tempted to disconnect from your body.
- Find a quiet place and allow your mind and body to settle into a comfortable, upright position.
- Become aware of your breathing. Listen for and focus on the breath as it is drawn into your body. Allow the sensations of inhaling to claim your whole thoughts.
- Hold that breath for a few seconds and then release it slowly through your mouth.
- As you breathe in, repeat to yourself silently, “I am a living being.”
- As you hold the breath, repeat to yourself, “I am part of a living creation.”
- As you release your breath, repeat to yourself, “I share my life with all living things.”
By remembering our interdependence with others for the air we breathe we will find it easier to step back from the brink of self-destruction from being disconnected from our bodies and embrace our place in the living creation called life.
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