Title - Real attention replaces habits Tags - habits psycho-cybernetics meditation
“It is only the dull, sleepy mind that creates and clings to habit. A mind that is attentive from moment to moment—attentive to what it is saying, attentive to the movement of its hands, of its thoughts, of its feelings—will discover that the formation of further habits has come to an end.”
This is a fascinating idea.
It’s widely accepted that habits can be bad or good.
I’ve never before considered that every habit is the product of a dull mind.
Krishnamurti seems to be saying that, when you are attentive in the moment - to what you are saying, doing thinking and feeling - you no longer form new habits.
A few nights ago, when we had rats in the kitchen, I was anxious, tense and my mind was racing. I wanted to sleep but I couldn’t stop my mind from running away from me. Then I remembered this quote. I also remembered the idea that when you pay real attention to a fear or negative feeling, it’s almost impossible for it to remain.
So I tried to just stay attentive, not think, and breathe deeply. Before long, my fears disappeared and I fell asleep in a relatively relaxed state.
Interesting!
[#krishnamurti2010bookoflife]: Jiddu Krishnamurti (2010): The Book of Life: Daily Meditations with Krishnamurti, HarperOne.