Taming the Stray Mind... a Man's Best Friend

Beginning a mindfulness practice is a bit like trying to train a stray dog.

It will often try to disobey, run away, and sabotage its surroundings to remain feeling independent. But, we show up and witness this scared mind each day so we can come to feel more compassion. Because the mind's resistance stems from nothing more than that; fear. That fear has kept a body out of harm's way for years and lifetimes. Its' constant search for clues and further processing has kept us free from surefire danger for millennia. And now, with practice, the mind is able to evolve to its new default ways of peace.

So, here is a dialog narrated in part by the mind (from the perspective of the stray dog).

Dog: “I once was free to roam the streets as late as I pleased, and now I’m being asked to stay within the confines of this yard surrounded by this fence?”…

“But somehow I feel comfort here, safe within the lines of my own boundaries.”

And what was once considered commonplace to nip and bite at other human’s heals, has now been met with muzzles, and a stern look.

Dog: “But they don’t call me 'needy', or 'distracted' anymore, and words like ‘respectful’ are often used now to describe me.”

And even all the friendly gals the dog would like to mount from time to time, no longer have a place to wag their tales at him. They can tempt him all they please, and still, that dog has learned to let them walk on by.

Dog: “And it’s actually kind of nice to feel like I have a choice to respond to urges as they rise.”

That dog that once would snarl at every set of eyes that looked at it the wrong way now is learning how to heal.

Dog: “But it’s actually becoming quite nice to feel more secure; like everyone around me is not a threat.”

And the leash that started out as long as the yard has progressively been getting shorter, and then one day the human that’s attached to it felt safe to take it off that once-stray dog.

Dog: “And the bond we have is growing into something I would not trade for the world. That human is my best friend, and I think I’ve heard him say that I am his too.”

Dog: “The truth is, I'm so grateful that my master found me, put the work in to tame me, and return me to my home alongside him. He took dominion over me and didn’t give up on me even when I was at my worst. And for that, I will be loyal to him always.”

When we commit to this relationship, the rewards are indescribable. In fact, they are far more of a gift than even the best dog could be. Your best friend is waiting just beyond the wall of your commitment to retrieve it.

Go get it.

It's worth it. And so are You.

If you have yet to develop a mindfulness practice and would like to explore some ways you can get started, reach out! Sharing is caring, and you deserve a best friend as good as mine. ;-)

Be Light