Accepting reality sometimes means accepting the times that you can't accept something. We may make headway in identifying with our feelings, our ups and downs, but there will always be times when panic or fear takes over and all one can do is let themselves suffer. But if afterwards we dwell on it, and wonder "why does this happen to me?", our suffering continues. how do we stop this vicious cycle? how do we keep our mind centered enough so that it may traverse all the various regions of the cosmos? true ecstasy is not pleasure alone, for pain and pleasure are one ecstasy, two extremes.
Meditation, among other practices is an excellent way to learn this tricky maneuver. It comes with time, as meditation does not initially "clear the mind". Rather it puts the practitioner in direct contact with his present surroundings and state of being. When a person allows themselves a few minutes, a half hour each day to be truly by themselves, she can walk back into the world of people, things and spirits with a more calm, clear head.
The truth is, as humans, much of our cognitive and interpersonal activities involve taking oneself out of the moment (or so it seems) and into abstract, verbal-conceptual experience. And in order to use this tool wisely and enjoyably, a delicate balancing act must be employed in keeping our spirit centered while letting our mind turn its wheels.
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Sources - Allan Watts and my own mind