The Compassionate Container (Part 2)

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Closely aligned with our intention is the attitude we show up with, as it colors the moment and who we are in response to what is happening around us. It also deeply affects others that are present with us. Our attitude has such a profound impact on the moment and all those that are in our presence. This can’t be overstated! (Over 45,000 book titles on Amazon alone include attitude in the title!)

Not only is attitude a choice, like intention, it helps with stress reduction and our over all health and well being, as we discovered earlier. It defines the difference between whether this moment is joyful, playful, stressful, hurtful or none of the above.

We work a lot with attitude in our mindfulness courses. The invitation with our formal practices is to bring an attitude of kind curiosity to each moment. Reengaging with the part of ourselves that really doesn’t know what is happening or going to happen next. Bringing that fresh eye to the situation. Or, an eye like a detective that is sent to find out what is happening in a particular situation, but not attached—just on a discovery mission.

When we bring this attitude of curiosity to each moment, there is less room for fear about what we might think will happen and more room for the mystery and dance of the actual unfolding. As with all of these factors—attention, intention and attitude—each has a fundamental role in contributing to how we experience the moment. Each helps create the container of the moment and influences the container of the next.

What’s appreciable about these components is they are all in our scope of influence. While so much of what we experience in life is out of our control, and while we may not always be able to consciously control these aspects—as sometimes we get caught no matter how long we’ve practiced—these are things that we can awaken to and develop in life. These are factors we can consciously contribute in any given moment.