The practice: assume a positive outcome

“Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.” HH The Dalai Lama

Daily Reflection: What would happen if you were to assume a positive outcome?  How would your actions, behaviors, even thoughts change if you assumed the best rather than expected the worst?  How might things shift with your attitudes and perspectives towards life? What might change in your relationships and experiences? What would happen if you assumed the best in yourself and others? 

Better yet, what would happen if you let go of the assumption there is something wrong when you are being challenged in life?  I’ll say it again because this one was a game changer for me: what if you were to let go of the assumption something is wrong when you are being challenged by life? 

“It never hurts to see the good in someone. They often act better because of it.” Nelson Mandela

Meditation Challenge: Today in your meditation you may try the technique of mental noting; noting “breath” or “not breath”.  As you sit, allow your focus to be with your breath, gently and silently repeating “breath” as you connect to the felt sense of breathing.  And when you notice the mind has wandered, not if but when, note such with the simple phrase of “not breath”.  Then let all this go, without judgment, as you connect back to your breath… silently noting “breath” with each cycle.  Your goal is to be present and receptive for each individual breath, not leaning forward or leaning back, not evaluating or judging, just being with the simplicity and beauty of each breath, riding the wave of each breath.    

The mental noting of “breath” or “not breath” is a way of simplifying all that comes up during meditation.  While we sit, we are not trying to fix, solving or accomplish anything else… we are simply being.  This simple yet powerful technique is a way of deepening concentration and stability.

“When you realize nothing is lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” Lao Tzu