For those who have no mental vigilance,

Though they may hear the teachings,

Ponder them or meditate,

With minds like seeping water

From a leaking jug,

Their learning will not settle in their memories.

- Santideva Bodhicaryavatara   courtesy of dailyzen.com

 

 

Freud would refer to mental vigilance as evenly suspended attention. It is important as a psychotherapist to be open to everything my client is discussing so that I can fully understand their world and how they perceive themselves in it. We need to do the same for ourselves. By staying vigilant to all of our experiences we can connect to the richness of our daily lives. It is easy to become preoccupied with worry, excitement, and anger. The day becomes a source of confirmation for what is felt strongly inside. We anticipate disasters and bring suspicion into our experiences with others. It would be overly simplistic to suggest we stop doing this because it is a natural part of  who we are and is necessary to navigate the complex and challenging world we live in. Mental vigilance is to question our beliefs and assumptions. We can elevate our self-doubt to a practice of contemplation. Instead of second guessing we can wonder about the strong emotions that arise and consider the myriad possibilities that may be suggested by their presence. For learning to settle in our minds we need to be open to new experiences no matter how subtle or powerful they may seem. Our curiosity is also a natural part of who we are and can keep the seeping waters from spilling out of the jug.