The Taste of Pleasure

Mindfulness & Self-Compassion

Artwork: Alexander Calder

Good Morning Beautiful People,

I hope that you are safe, wherever you are in the world.

The truth is that as I write these words, there is a part of me that longs to be able to travel and meet some of you with the same ease as we were once able to.

At times, my mind wonders when am I going to be able to “check out” again, to feel the feeling of freedom and excitement I used to experience as I would sit on a plane and make a big sigh of relief.

The truth is also that these thoughts come and haunt me when I feel more vulnerable and want to escape, numb or check out.

Have you noticed that when we give in to our mind’s desires, often called instant gratification, pleasure tastes differently?

It has more of a sour aftertaste than a pleasure that comes out of stillness, one that feels earned and in alignment with our “highest good.”

Australian Poet Judith Wright wisely said: “ As we get past our superficial wants and instant gratification, we connect to a deeper part of ourselves, as well as to others and to the Universe.”

So on this note, on this Full Moon in Scorpio, also known as The Buddha Moon, as it’s during this Full Moon that Buddha attained Nirvana, I am going to invite you to take a deep inhale. Remembering that there is no right or wrong way to feel right now, whatever you are experiencing is always the perfect gateway to go inwards.

There is nothing to fix, nothing to attain. As you breath out, you are invited to be present to what is, feeling your feet on the ground and letting yourself feel held by the chair your are sitting on or the bed you might laying in?

As we use the practice of meditation to let go of judgment and welcome compassion, we remember that all we know for certain, is what we are present to.

Yet, that is often tainted by the filter of our mind.

So my wish for us all today, is to remember that everything passes and that whatever we may be experiencing, can be held by our presence, without the need for instant gratification or any other form of escapism.

If you feel called to deepen your practice, I have recorded a new meditation.

Otherwise, we are still meeting daily at 9.30am CET for meditation  https://zoom.us/j/6911455565 | PW: 739019

Do let me know if you have any questions or comments and please dont hesitate to forward this message to whoever might need this gentle reminder.

With Love and Deep Respect,

Vanessa

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