Spring Cleaning

April 09 Newsletter




Spring cleaning chore list:
- wash windows- move furniture and clean under it.- empty out garage and attic.- sort through clothes and donate old ones.- clean out car.- clean out basement.- clean out mind.......

A nice spring day a few years back I was out driving around. I stopped at a convenience store for some quick provisions. I walked inside, enjoying the sunshine, selected my desired goods and headed for the counter. I found myself in line behind one person. I had quite a few things, and the lady who had now taken a spot in line behind me line was standing there with a ten dollar bill in her hand, and no items that I could see.

 Being the polite person that I am, I thought it would be nice to offer her a jump ahead of me in line, so she could pay for her gasoline. I turned to the lady and said "Oh, I see you've got gas, would you like to go ahead of me and pay?" She stared at me, and said nothing. About one second after I finished the sentence, the stench found my nose. Someone had produced a very powerful and well timed flatulent gas cloud, and by the look on this poor ladies' face, it had hit her before it hit me. She was not at all happy with her interpretation of what I had just said to her. I turned back to the register to find the counter clear, plopped down my goods, paid rapidly, and exited the store without making eye contact with anyone. I was embarrassed to say the least.

 Once outside I stopped in the parking lot for a second to catch my breath. I was looking around, and to my horror, made another realization. This convenient store did not sell gasoline, and had no gas pumps. Oh no, that poor lady. I had really put my foot in my mouth. I darted for the car and drove off, hoping to put the giant social blunder behind me.

Missed details can sometimes cause problems. When we are not mindful of our behaviors, we miss details. When our minds have missed details, or are clouded by the failure to see things as they really are, we make mistakes. If my mind had been clear, I may have noticed that this store did not sell gas. Perhaps I would have not made the assumption that the lady was buying gas, or I may have at least chosen a clearer set of words to state my offer. A clearer mind in that moment would have been a good thing.

When was the last time you cleaned out your mind? Sure we look it over everyday, we use it all the time. But have you taken inventory? Have you set yourself down for just a few minutes to see what has settled where, what is piling up, and what might need some maintenance. Our minds become cluttered by our misunderstandings, our misperceptions of the way things are. We all see things a little different. That's because we all see the same things through the filter of the mind, and the mind-filter alters our understanding of reality. We all experience this, it is human nature.

 Poor influence and misunderstanding may cloud the mind-filter and lead to more misunderstanding and more clouding. Being mindful of what we ingest with our bodies and minds can help clear the mind. In order for a mud puddle to become clear, it must sit still, and not be shaken for a while. We are not much different. If we are to clear our mind-filter and see things as they truly are, we must take the time for ourselves to become calm, still, strong, and clear.

 Don't worry about finding the answers to the problems. The answers will deliver themselves, they always do. Spent the time preparing the mind so that when the answers come, you may see them clearly. So take some time out for you, sit yourself still, and avoid being shaken for a while. Have a look through the mansion of your mind and clean up any clutter you find. Open the windows and breathe in some fresh air, and open all the shades and bathe the rooms in light. Then, when you feel the mind clearing and the sun coming in, breath away your confusion and enjoy the beauty of clarity.

 During the spring, take advantage of this natural season or change. This is the time when all the world around us is in flux, changing drastically. Don't miss your chance to do the same. Get out and experience the upheaval of life occurring. Take a hike, walk the dog, a bike ride, clean up the yard on a sunny day, or just relax on the porch. Turn off the computer, take a book and sit outside. Make connection with the changes in nature, make it part of you, because there is no better time to start new things, and to grow and blossom, than spring time.

We sweep the floor, the wind sweeps the world,the breath sweeps the mind.
Namaste',Huckleberry Mathew Ingles