The One-Minute Miracle

(By Jen)

(I was reading through my monthly subscription of “O Magazine” when I came across this article. We all, myself included, could learn a little something from this. )

A young Army officer who had a history of anger-related problems was ordered to attend a mindfulness training class to reduce his level of stress. One day, after attending the class for some weeks, he stopped for groceries on his way home. He was in a hurry and a bit irritated, as usual, and the checkout lines were long.

The woman in front of him had only one item but wasn’t in the express line. She was carrying a baby and talking to the cashier. He became more irritated. Then she passed the baby to the cashier, who spent a moment cooing over the child. He could feel his anger rising. But because he’d been practicing mindfulness, he became aware of the heat and tightness in his body. He breathed and relaxed. When he looked up again, he saw the child smiling. As he reached the cashier, he said, “That was a cute little boy.”

“Oh, did you like him? That’s my baby,” she said. “His father was in the military, but he was killed last winter. Now I have to work full-time. My mom tries to bring my boy in once or twice a day so I can see him”

One of the most stunning revelations of modern psychology is how wrong our perception can be. We can be deluded about love, our bodies, our finances, and we can be quick to judge others; we miss their beauty and overlook their suffering. But when you free yourself from delusion, you see with wisdom.

Try this practice: On a day that you’re in a fine mood, set the intention to look for the inner nobility and dignity of three people. Notice how this affects your interaction with them, as well as your own heart. Choose five more days when you’re in a good mood to do this practice with as many people as you can. After that, add more days and include strangers and difficult people, until your heart learns to silently appreciate and bless all whom you meet.