Lessons I learn from my blind students | Lesson 2

During last week's class at Junior Blind I noticed the way my students are paying attention. It seems like there is a fundamental difference between the sighted students, the partially sighted, and the blind. Although the sighted and partially sighted students can actually see what is demonstrated, they were easily distracted. I watched the blind's way of paying attention; they are more concentrated and attuned with what is around them. They look like they are "listening with their whole body".

Lately I've been trying to see things without staring at the details. Sometimes I narrow my eyes and my vision become somewhat blurry - I then feel a new level of alertness and a different kind of attention arising. We can train ourselves to choose what we take in and what to leave out. We can "listen" and not just "look" at the demonstration, get more information on the "feeling of the technique", rather than just trusting our mind's translation of what is seen.

"There is more than meets the eye..."

More on Mushin: double attention

Part of capturing the flowing feeling of Mushin (no-mindedness, or empty mind) is having double attention. Instead of being fixated on what is outside of ourselves, we keep mindful - through our mindfulness we are not detached from what is around us. We take integral part in our reality, the hear-now. We focus on what is around us, as well as on our own physical, mental and emotional experience.

In this short video, James Traitz, author of Don't Stop Your Mind, encapsulates the practice methods and the experience of Mushin.



Self remembering is a excellent way for a daily practice. Beside generating awareness, it brings about many other important lessons, such as humility, compassion, and clarity. We learn our part in the ever-changing cosmic web, on which we are all interconnected. It is a way to deeply examine our behavior and habits, and watch when we are "on automatic". This is a tool that sharpens our ability to create change, fills us with courage, and helps us to face our fears. The practice being fully present in the moment enables us to live a fuller, more enjoyable life.