Recognizing the "Moment of Choice"
Posted on May 31st, 2008
by 
Scott Schwenk
Scott Schwenk
There are these moments right before something...they're sometimes hard to notice in the beginning, but they're there. They are these moments right before I'm about to say or do something, a moment to reconsider from a deeper place the most beneficial thing to say or do for all concerned. Sometimes the subtle (or not-so-subtle) struggle between my seemingly "unmet ego needs" and "highest good" is feeling like a no-holds-barred wrestling match. And yet, when I choose "most beneficial", there's the sense of more freedom...more grounding....and definitely more peace within.
A great way to notice these moments is the practice throughout the day of paying attention to the spaces between ~ the space between one thought and another, the space between the inhalation and the exhalation, etc. By noticing these spaces between, your attention becomes more attuned to the subtle, the place of knowing and intuition, the place where you can notice "most beneficial" in the moment of choice, and begin to literally re-write your entire experience of life, and become the change in this world.
A great way to notice these moments is the practice throughout the day of paying attention to the spaces between ~ the space between one thought and another, the space between the inhalation and the exhalation, etc. By noticing these spaces between, your attention becomes more attuned to the subtle, the place of knowing and intuition, the place where you can notice "most beneficial" in the moment of choice, and begin to literally re-write your entire experience of life, and become the change in this world.
Tagged with: freedom, peace, healing, breath, madhya dasha, intuition, be the change, moment of choice
I love the idea of looking at things in the perspective of most beneficial involved and I have done so for many years. But I feel alone in my life at looking at things from this perspective. How can one person get another to see that at times your ego needs may be unmet and that at other times other's ego needs are unmet, and that it is the give and take of a relationship that makes it work?
I can only take care of meeting my own needs…I can't expect that from anyone…no matter how pointedly and painfully my thinking mind and emotional reactions may rail against that. It really is the truth of it. I can always ask another for something, but I can't really expect it. At least not here in this human realm where most everyone including myself is still carrying some degree or another of illusion and experience of separateness.
Taking this perspective from an “idea” into a regular practice is where the shifts can happen.
Perhaps you're expecting something from someone who's not got the capacity to give it to you at this point. If you need X, have asked for it, and your partner hasn't provided it, perhaps re-evaluate your need for X, or your need for this partner if not getting X is a deal-breaker.
More than anything, I'd say to see if you can allow your Trust in yourself to go deeper…and with it your trust in Intuition.
This is interesting. Take a look at my essay entitled Free Will and Decisions. I think you will like it..
I love it, thank for the inspiration!
yaffie - thanks for sharing that…
skylar - absolutely!
I love the genuine intentions of this approach to life. I completely agree, and every time I've taken this approach to a situation, I recall the end result as being a completely positive one! Knowing that I had acknowledged that need in someone else and was able to recognize it- and nurture it. Thanks!!
Hi scott, have you had a chance to read it??
Stephanie - I agree…
Yaffie - yes…feel free to email me directly
I am grateful to have found you on Gaia Pro as you are such a leader and have wonderful blogs. I have learned from reading your “Moment of Choice” how true this is for me and I want to put it to practical use as I learn how I can better serve others from my skills. You have presented a method that is something I can start on now with my decisions. Thank you Scott!!!
This is smart! Paying more attention to these moments will definately change your action and the end results. I often act impulsively and would avoid many mistakes if i didn't do so.