Minding the bedside, remaining mindful, aware, and compassionate in the presence of those we care for,  comes from turning the mind, re-turning the mind inward; transforming the stormy arisings of thoughts, emotions and feelings and recognizing them to be impermanent phenomena, like passing clouds in the sky.

The Poet Rumi wrote:

The Guest House

This being human is a guest-house
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,

Still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you
out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice
meet them at the door laughing
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

SEE YOUR THOUGHTS, FEELINGS, AND SENSATIONS FOR WHAT THEY ARE…

Seeing our thoughts, emotions, feelings and sensations as guests, or at least as temporary visitors, being grateful that we have the cognizant quality of mind to recognize them for what they are, as temporary and transient phenomena, is how we begin to work with our mind.

Our mind doesn’t have to be defined by what arises within it; thoughts, ideas, impressions can all be allowed to pass through our mind without our grasping on to them. In the same way that clouds come and go, thoughts and emotions left to simply be, will arise, stay briefly and then dissipate. It’s only through focusing on and thinking about thoughts that we perpetuate them.

THE TRANSFORMATION OF MIND

The transformation of our mind begins when we start to take a look at its nature, its habits and patterns, from a non-judgmental place; when we are able to just be with whatever thoughts are arising in our mind, whatever sensations are arising in our bodies, without creating stories around them, without elaborating on them, without the ongoing process of fabricating an anxious and ongoing stream of thought. Again, we need to re-view what our perceptions of ourselves are; are we our thoughts? Our emotions? Are we our educational degree, designation, or profession? Or are we much more? (we are much more…and much less!)

How we are when we show up at the bedside depends upon our ability to be with whatever is arising at the moment, and not be distracted from our patient. That’s what Minding the Bedside is about, that’s why I wrote this book.

The following exercise will help you to begin to work with your mind and with the thoughts that arise within it. Also, please have a look at similar posts for more information and discussions around working with the mind and its thoughts.

Exercise:

Beginning to Work with Our Thoughts

See the related posts below for more information. Enjoy!

Investigate Thoughts: They’re Not Real! 

How to Watch the Cloud-like Thoughts Within Our Mind, They’re Not Real!