Ski Tracks of the Mind
You're standing atop a snow-covered mountain, the pristine white expanse stretching before you. As you descend, your skis carve distinct tracks in the powder. These tracks, once laid, become the path of least resistance for future runs. Similarly, our minds create grooves of habitual thought, shaping our perception of self and the world around us.
The Buddha, in his keen wisdom, recognized this phenomenon: "All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world." These mental ski tracks, once established, guide how we interpret and respond to life's experiences.
Often, we find ourselves skiing within tracks laid down long ago—tracks that reflect a severely limiting frame of mind. Like a skier struggling to break free from deep-set grooves, we find it challenging to shift our perception. Even when we momentarily veer onto fresh snow, the pull of familiar patterns swiftly draws us back into well-worn ruts.
However, just as a skilled skier can intentionally carve new paths down the mountain, we too can reshape our mental landscape. This requires more than merely repeating mantras or positive affirmations. Instead, we must consistently become aware of our deeply-grooved thought patterns, allowing them to lead awareness back to the mind, the source of all thought.
A Course in Miracles echoes this sentiment: "Perception is a mirror, not a fact. And what I look on is my state of mind, reflected outward." By consciously choosing to see ourselves as expressions of infinite divinity, we begin to lay down new tracks—ones that lead to expanded horizons and profound inner peace.
With each mindful descent, each conscious choice to embody the right mind of love, we create new grooves of serenity. In time, these new paths become our default route, guiding us effortlessly toward the realization of our true, limitless nature.
Join me in Thursday's class where we'll explore our rutted ski tracks of the mind, and how we can carve new paths to exquisite joy. I look forward to seeing you then.