Thought-Spears
The other day, I patted myself on the back. A fellow driver on a very busy freeway jerked his car into the lane right in front of me. I jammed on the brakes. And … I didn't call him my usual 7 letter word (starting with A, ending with E). And neither of my grandchildren were in the car – which would have prevented my profanity outburst. I was alone in the car – full permission to excoriate anyone for anything. And I didn't. At least not out loud.
I've been working on this for a bit of time. I had made a personal commitment to nullify any negative thought directed toward anyone – a thought-spear – by sending a prayer of one-ness. I got really quick with the prayer, because the thought-spear was a touch quicker. Mostly it happens when I'm driving.
Since my win of the other day, I'm now focusing on driving without even having a thought-spear – regardless of how others drive, regardless of how much of a hurry I'm in, regardless of whatever is happening outside of me. I am choosing to practice what Thich Nhat Hanh calls the Mona Lisa Smile – when the muscles in my face are in a genuine "I have a secret" smile, my mood shifts. And I can more easily flow with the vagaries of Houston traffic that can sometimes resemble a wildebeest stampede.
This isn't about profanity or road rage. This is about mastery of my own energetic field – throwing thought-spears (being "against" anyone for any reason) or having peace of mind, peace in heart, peace in spirit. My thought-spears add to the energy of separation/hate/war. My peace of mind adds to the energy of one-ness and inter-connected-ness. I make a difference with every thought – as do you.
PS So far I've noticed that I usually arrive on time or earlier – and without the cortisol hormones of stress. The trick is remembering the Mona Lisa smile!
Come try your technique on Louis Botha Avenue Annie-that will be the true test!!
How about YOU try it and tell me how it goes! then I’ll try it next time I’m there, and I’ll let you know how it went!
Great idea, thanks. My partner Barbara has modified a great idea too. She’s taken Ann Curry’s challenge of 26 acts of kindness (for Newtown’s losses) and added her twist. She printed a list of all those killed and mentally focuses on the name of one of those with each act. I really admire such intentionality.
I love Barbara’s idea … taking an initiative proposed by someone else that makes sense, then making it personal by adding her own twist. Wonder what it would be like if all of us adopted that – taking Barbara’s twist and adding our own to make it even more personal!
I find two things help. Firstly letting go of the need to be anywhere fast.. Secondly using my mind to vaporize the car and see the humans inside.
Thanks for this, Ann. The image of thought-spears is just what I needed. I’ve been battling this automatic behavior for months, particularly when it comes to my computer. Heck, let’s just tell the truth: anytime things don’t go smoothly! I had a commitment that instead of a snarky What the F**k???, I would ask a question out of curiousity, as in What would have caused that? and play detective.
That lasted about 6 days before I was back to knee-jerk snarkiness again.
Having the thought-spear concept helps. I can stop what I can visualize, particularly when I can visualize the effect on me and the world.
Thanks!
Jen
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Ann McMaster – Life as It Is: Thought-Spears