An ultrashort sleep is what we mean by a cat nap. It is universally common in humans and animals. During this short period there is a recuperation in an unusual way leading to refreshed alertness and sense of well being in the body!
I have been used to practicing five occasions of three minutes of becoming bodily quiet and mentally still, during which time, sometimes I fall asleep for a minute or so, following which I wake up as if I am getting up in the morning after a good sleep.
We are people of intense physical and mental pursuit of activities during which time, we spend our energy physically and emotionally. We feel when we talk, listen, discuss, or disagree. These feelings arouse a cascade of neuro-metabolic changes which we can switch off during a cat nap. We have an awakened consciousness following the times of quietness.
I now find that a short period of quietness before and after a difficult conversation can restore the emotional state. We feel more ready to face a difficult situation if we can overcome the emotional upheaval that precedes the anticipated confronting or demanding situation.
Life is a series of one minute events. To be able to take charge of our minutes is a challenge! However that is the way we can live with a sense of presence.
Three of us after walking silently in a park for a while afterwards we sat down to share our experiences. One of them had seen, heard and felt lot more than both of us. How did that happen! He told us that he refused to be dragged away by his thoughts during that walk but tuned his senses to the walking experience! That is a state of enlightened living!
This form of practising sense of presence increases God consciousness and mindfulness towards others!
M.C.Mathew (Text and photo)
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