Two Levels of Being

We live our lives at two qualitatively different levels:

• an ordinary level based on conditioning - very much like animals, and

• an extraordinary level that transcends conditioning - like enlightened or awakened mystics and saints.

Ordinarily, our behavior is based on emotions - feelings of love & hatred, regardless of how reasonable or scientific we consider ourselves to be. Craving what we consider pleasant & aversion to what we consider unpleasant govern our lives. See approach-avoidance dichotomy: http://mindfulnessforeveryone.blogspot.ca/2012/03/88-avoidance-approach-dichotomy.html

But we don't have to remain in that predicament. We can train to engage with life mindfully, from our still, silent center. It takes serious, life-long practice to gradually shift to this more conscious, awakened way of being in the world.

"Mindfulness is awareness, with attention, in the present moment, on purpose - with an attitude or intentional stance of nonattached equanimity." Andrew Olendzki