The Lounge Podcast - Ep.2 Where Are You?

Episode 2 is HERE!!!!

This time around I chat about how a pandemic might be a good time for self-reflection.

Pandemics are real and can be scary, but they can also serve as opportunities for self-reflection.

Daily Moment of Awareness [10.9.2019]

Moments of awareness shared with you

It is something special when you are seen and heard. I felt that way this morning. A friend of mine shared some very kind words with me about how I affect a particular aspect of his life. See, we both play music together and he expressed how my drumming is opening him up to new ways of how he plays bass.

Why this is so special is because I’ve been playing drums for almost 25 years and I’ve been in a couple different bands. Each has been a unique experience and each has helped me grow as a musician. However, during my short stint with this current band, I’ve let go of my fear of feeling inadequate. It’s freed me to explore and to have fun.

I’ve mindfully been expressing my creative side and it has shown in my playing, my feeling, and in gratitude from others. It is really special to be seen and herd for who you really are.

Truth Is In The Present

The traditions of living can create a false sense of what is, for you. When you adopt a tradition, you walk a path already walked. Of course, there is joy to be experienced through tradition. But it’s a feeling of familiarity, of comfort, of security. The joy is not discovered or created.

Truth is ever available in each moment. When you let go of the past and unlearn your conditioning, truth is revealed. Your truth is rather than was. Lack of awareness welcomes tradition. Mindfulness is a relationship with truth.

words on image: Michael Barata / image: Samuel Silitoga

words on image: Michael Barata / image: Samuel Silitoga

Comfort Is Quicksand

Think about those mornings when every inch of your bed just hugs you? The sheets and blankets have created the perfect temperature, that you almost feel one with them. Your pillow is a soft cloud for your heavy mind.

What else is going here? That’s right. Your comfort is holding you back from beginning your day. Exercising. Meditating. Eating a heathy breakfast. Spending some meaningful time with someone - or even with yourself.

Comfort denies new experience. Comfort ignores creativity. Comfort stunts growth. Comfort delays learning. Comfort teams up with fear to stop you from: exploring, going further, looking more intently, being curious and courageous, and yes, they stop you from living divinely and loving deeply.

Comfort is best experienced as a flowing reminder that you are living. However, it can also be a stagnant stop.

words + words on image: Michael Barata / image: Lisa Fotios

words + words on image: Michael Barata / image: Lisa Fotios