Contemplate

Contemplation is a dying art. So much of our modern life acts against this sacred space. Contemplating is not the same as thinking. Much of our modern world discourages even thinking, advising you to act on no more than momentary emotional reactions to intense stimuli.

Contemplating is a state of being, not a state of mind.

Contemplating is maintaining a detached and interested awareness, it is a gentle seeing

within (my reactions and thoughts),

without (what is going on around me),

the past (the history of now)

the future (the trajectory of now) and

this moment (the now).

It is tracking and noticing, withholding judgement and refraining from opinion.  It has no material goal.

 ‘Think’ about a problem to find a solution. ‘Contemplate’ a situation to gain insight.

ACTION

As often as you can over the next three days, cultivate the art of contemplation.
Just look and dwell.
Gently seek understanding and insight, rather than problem solving for solutions.

What situations can you apply this to?
When someone comes to you with a problem, when you are confronted by a situation, when you are enticed to have a quick opinion … stop … contemplate.

What new insight do you have?