The Art of Stopping & Seeing
In this episode, I explore the profound practice of "stopping and seeing," drawing inspiration from the story of Angulimala and the Buddha's powerful declaration, "I stopped long ago; it's you who hasn't stopped." This teaching, connected to the Buddhist concept of aimlessness and the Four Noble Truths as tasks, encourages us to pause and observe our actions, thoughts, and feelings without immediate reactivity. Key insights include recognizing the hidden agendas and ulterior motives that drive our behavior, understanding that true liberation comes not from chasing external goals but from embracing the present moment as it is (suchness), and differentiating between "shoulds" (conditioned expectations) and "coulds" (possibilities). The practical application lies in cultivating self-awareness to reduce unnecessary suffering and navigate life more skillfully, realizing that we are already whole and complete, just as we are.
