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Mind the Gap
In London, the metro system is very courteous. Clear, distinct
voices over the sound system let you know which station is next
and give gentle reminders to stand clear of the doors. Perhaps one
of the most frequent announcements they offer is to pay attention
to the space between the metro car and the platform. Their incessant
reminder is to “Mind the Gap.”
This phrase “Mind the Gap” is unrelenting. Even though
the system is trying to be helpful, hearing this sentence over and
over can get quite obnoxious. It has even infiltrated the popular
London culture: one can see the phrase on t-shirts, postcards and
even underwear. But if one were to think about the deeper meaning
of that simple phrase, it actually becomes a wonderful reminder
for an important aspect of our existence.
“The Gap” is the space between our thoughts and is
the place of unlimited potential of all things. This is where everything
originates and is expressed, like the void out of which our universe
began. It is a nothingness that in Buddhism is the equivalent of
"Pure Being," as it is free of all determination and therefore
embodying everything. It is a place of power, divinity and creativity
which magnifies and strengthens with our ability to be in it. From
this place of “everything” (since it has not taken shape,
it is therefore all), “anything” can be created, once
one understands how to cultivate that ability. It is the place to
experientially know God and to know ourselves. And the most amazing
part is that all this is within us.
The fact that this place of limitless resource is found within
means that all the fundamental needs and desires we are looking
for are found inside ourselves--love, peace, comfort, power, abundance,
whatever. By creating the fulfillment of the desire internally,
it becomes part of our reality and is therefore expressed in our
physical world through time. Whatever we express is created. If
we express want, we receive want. If we express love, it comes to
us. If we are in the mindset of abundance, we live a life of abundance.
It also prevents us from being tossed and turned by the unsteady
nature of the material world. How many times have we felt so close
to fulfilling a deep desire, only to have its fulfillment snatched
away from us with no way to prevent it? By understanding that the
need is already fulfilled, we are not subject to external fears,
desires or unconscious expectations and in turn, can reach a place
of samadhi--a state of being aware of one’s existence and
the interconnectedness of all things without conscious thought,
a state of bliss and true being.
So to reduce our suffering and move toward peace and joy, how can
we develop our ability to “Mind the Gap?” We must practice.
We must engage in activities that develop our awareness to observe
patterns--be it of thought or behavior: how they affect us and how
they serve us. We must notice if our thoughts cause us to fear,
want or worry; or if they are old patterns of conditioning and unconscious
response. By being in the gap, we can break free from unconscious
behavior and move into a state of awareness and clarity. And, as
with any ability--whether it be playing the flute, pitching a ball
or winning at chess--it takes practice.
Yoga and meditation are powerful tools to develop this ability
to watch one’s thoughts and learn to be more in the gap. By
using these tools to focus our attention and watch our thoughts,
we develop ways to notice when we are being in the past or projecting
into the future (being in our thoughts rather than in our present
situation) and then learn to bring our awareness to this moment,
relinquishing all that is outside of this immediate experience.
We begin to recognize how our thoughts exacerbate our problems as
opposed to giving us clarity; we see how we hold onto our desires
and to the fears that they will not come true; we realize that we
are perfect and complete in this moment, and that there is nothing
to fear, want or resist. There is only this moment with its experience,
and when we are truly with that experience, we will know how to
respond appropriately no matter what the situation. We choose our
action, we create our response and we move into a place of true
freedom and happiness.
When we are in the gap, we are slowly transformed. We see clearly
how things hinder us and hurt us; we notice old patterns and slowly
choose a new way of being; we experience and are humbled with the
awesome power and love available to us. It is not a place of holding
or controlling. It is a place of complete surrendering and trust.
It takes time. Yet with practice, each moment develops our ability
to exist from this unlimited place, to live within the unlimited
potential of the gap and, in turn, step into our unlimited selves.
Heather Antonissen, April 2003
You can write to Heather at heather@yogaisyouth.com
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