Twelve Key Lessons for Mindfulness and Authentic Living

My sister-in-law recently introduced me to the book Complete Guide of Mindful Living: Awareness & Meditation Practices for Living in the Present Moment. I’m always looking for resources to support growth and development, especially for my clients. I came across one that rings true to my authentic lifestyle, so I wanted to share this excerpt with you.

Twelve Key Lessons for Mindfulness and Authentic Living

by Guy Finley

As you review these higher life lessons, remember that the potential light hidden in any timeless truth is only as healing as your willingness to see yourself in and through its lesson. A few of these insights you will no doubt recognize as “old friends” along the way; welcome them to live by your side, that you might borrow their light when things seem dark. Choose to ponder them until they agree to show you their light, which they always will. Soon you'll learn to see their authentic wisdom as being the foundation of an authentic life.

One
As we discover more truth about ourselves, we gain insight into everyone else around us. Our higher psychology makes it possible to interact with others in ways formerly impossible to us, including being truthful without being hurtful.

Two
There is a big difference between making a mistake and thinking of oneself as being a mistake; any compulsive wish to be seen as perfect in the eyes of the world is a punishment that can never be a part of true peace and contentment.

Three
There is nothing we can say to a tornado to make it stop whirling. The same holds true for when and what we should say to people caught in negative states. Usually, if left alone, the storm they are in just fades away because it runs out of mechanical energy.

Four
The nature in us that sees any moment as a tunnel without a light at the end of it is the darkness that it sees.

Five
Not only is perfect awareness perfect protection, but in this order of mindfulness it is also the highest promise of ourselves fulfilled.

Six
It is impossible to resist something and learn from it at the same time.

Seven
Fear is a lie; the same frightened self that seeks rescue secretly confirms its condition as being real with each of its plaintive calls for help.

Eight
Anything in us that resists exploring the cause of a sorrow is itself part of the pain it prefers to keep unexposed.

Nine
Never run from what you don't understand as it will be waiting there for you when you stop.

Ten
Our needless heartaches end as we see that the healing we hope for begins with letting go of our unseen relationship with those parts of us responsible for our self-hurting.

Eleven
The Divine loves those who do what is true in spite of the circumstances.

Twelve
Never forget that along the path to the truly authentic life, your true self cannot be confined by dark thoughts or feelings any more than sunlight can be held captive in a jar.