Live Your Questions

An analytical mind is in a constant state of asking questions.

There’s an agitation to seek an answer and follow its paved road.

What’s usually associated with this desire is anxiety, dismay, consternation, and perhaps a further ‘closing of the mind’.

Let’s face it…an analytical mind tends to have blinders on so it can narrow its focus and get the ‘right answer’.

So, what happens when you choose to Live Your Questions and NOT lead from a typical analytical mind?

That intention signifies that:

• obviously, you’re not going to find the answer right away…living requires the passing of time;
• cultivation of patience because you’ll be in a continuous state of softly seeking;
• a feeling within the body akin to freedom and exploration…which is the oppositive feeling of anxiety: an agitated, restless body;
• a softening and relaxation of the mind…which is the opposite feeling of a constantly running mind, attached firmly to beliefs and ideals.

Now that you know these easy steps on what is required, how do you cultivate the practice of Live Your Questions?

Let’s face it…an analytical mind tends to have blinders on so it can narrow its focus and get the ‘right answer’.

You’ll have:

• a consistent, daily practice of a softening skill — meditation or tai chi;
• a consistent, daily, gentle focus on training yourself how to think, which includes NOT believing everything you think. You can do this by asking one simple question: ‘how do I know that thought is true?”;
• to notice e.v.e.r.y.d.a.y when your body feels agitated in anxiety, and get your senses involved to calm down — dig your fingers into the dirt, self-massage your neck and head, place your palm on your forehead;

All of these practices will slow down your mind and your body. So when you are approached with a potential piece of the answer you are seeking, you’ll easily follow the trail and continue to live that question.

You’ll broaden your field of perception rather than narrow your focus.

You’ll have a softer body and agile mind that will show you hints of where to go to get the piece of the answer.

You’ll lead from freedom and expansion rather than conflict and contention.

“ I beg you to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.” — Rainer Rilke

Visit Thought Transformation Institute for more tips on mindset and meditation education.