The Mind Follows Where the Eyes Lead
The “Back to Basics” Series
“Be. Here. Now.”
—Yogic Admonition and Book Title
Baba Ram Dass (Servant of God)
Enlightened Yogi & Student of Neem Karoli Baba
(Also in this life, dismissed Harvard professor Richard Alpert and
Co-discoverer of LSD with Dr. Timothy Leary)
(1931 — )
“The Mind follows where the eyes lead.”
— Zen Proverb
We’ve all been trying to do more with less of late. So it’s not surprising that we’re spread thin — twisted even. This slightly desperate “over-stretched” quality often displays as that out-of-focus expression someone gets before the conversation settles in. They may be present — physically. But the mind has not yet focused and the spirit, well… So (physicists take note) our daily struggle proves that one really can be in two places at one time: Here and Somewhere Else!
What to do?
Look directly at the person sitting across from you. As you bring them into focus, stay with it until your mind departs that last meeting, and comes to rest in the here, now. As you start to notice yourself asking mental questions of and about them, you’ve arrived. Check in to see if your counterpart is equally present. If not, keep looking and notice the magnetism of your gaze bring them into orbit. Watch the fog clear from their gaze… It isn’t a click exactly, usually more of a “slow fade in…” Two people, one place, same time! Let the conversation begin!
So, it works with your own presence, and that of another. Now let’s consider the content. “What am I going to say???” All right, calmly seek out that other being, find the eyes, and wait a beat. Ah, there’s the beginning of an idea — and a box diagram for a discussion slowly comes to mind. When you find and focus on the target, the appropriate comment appears.
Be. Here. Now!
Simple really, but also cosmic.
Applications
1. Personally
There’s what you’re having (but not tasting) for lunch. There’s the subject of the article you’re reading on the iPad, the music in the ear buds, the temperature of the room, the argument you had this morning on the phone with Mom, the touch of the fabric of your shirt on your shoulder, the pressure of your leather bag leaning against your calf, the fragrance of your cologne, the scratchy quality of the paper you’re writing on, the rhythm nudging you to move with the music, that one unruly strand of hair that’s migrated once again into your field of vision. Slowly, you notice that the last five paragraphs haven’t penetrated… you’ve been re-playing the moments with Mom. So stop, and look at the text, notice the shape of the capital S. As it comes into focus, notice the other perceptions fade. The power of your focus makes the text take precedence. The text is now center stage — because you put it there.
2. At Home
Too much to do, too little time — also dominating the home front. Here’s a suggestion: Let steady eye contact do the heavy lifting. No need to enter, talking. Lead with a long glance and wait for them to speak as you hold their gaze and wait. This isn’t a staring contest, but a demonstration of interest — a little goes long. So just decide to be the one who listens more, talks less. Ask a few more general questions and relax. Everyone will find you a rapt and devoted audience and marvel at how interesting you’ve become.
3. At Work
Nothing wrong with being brilliant here. But first they have to notice that you’re in the room. Before getting on with the orchestrated presentation or the subject of the appointment, make sure that you have everyone’s full attention. You know the drill; look, wait and reel them in one at a time. Two outcomes: One, it’s a more dramatic opening with that powerful pause. Two, it ensures that everyone really arrives fully before you begin. There’s no point in “launching your erudition on a sea of vacuity.” Look, pause, then launch!
Baba (teacher) had it right in 1971. The foundation of sanity is to be nowhere else, do nothing else, and to have nothing else but what is right in front of you — this instant. The mind is a wonderful and dangerous tool. It can take you to the far side of the universe while your body is mindlessly driving into oncoming traffic as the spirit drifts.
Remember: Be Here Now.
Dessert:
To learn more about Ram Dass, click here: https://www.ramdass.org/
Subscribe to our Newsletter
