I recently participated in a group Twitter conversation about mindfulness in dog training and it inspired me to write this post.
Mindfulness is an idea from Buddhism that has become an accepted part of a modern world view. I have not spent a great deal of time studying Buddhism, but I have read a few books and have visited Buddhist temples since I was a pre teenager. I have also done a bit of Buddhist inspired meditation over the years.
Mindfulness is part of the eight fold path in Buddhism. The eight fold path is often represented as a dharma wheel. The dharma wheel has eight spokes representing the eight elements of the path. The eight spokes of the dharma wheel resembles the eight paths of movement in my dog training system.
The eight fold path consists of the right view, right aspiration, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.
I think of mindfulness as awareness combined with a kind of understanding that comes with awareness. Within RenChenZa’s Seven Significant Points of Reference awareness primarily falls within the realm of personal rules.
“Awareness can be physical, intellectual, or emotional (intuitive).” From Dog Training Best Friends Learning Together (DTBFLT). Awareness is both conscious and subconscious. To gain awareness we must “see things for what they really are” DTBFLT. Awareness requires an honest assessment of the situation.
With conscious awareness we can report to others about what we’re doing. Conscious awareness is fairly easy to teach others. We can teach conscious awareness by showing others what to look for. Often all that’s needed for conscious awareness is paying close attention to the environment and enough experience to understand valid patterns. Without enough experience it’s easy to form superstitious beliefs. Experience implies that we have some kind if a history. History is an essential but subtle part of mindfulness.
While all awareness is developed from a history, we sometimes structure a history to make it more likely awareness develops. There are many martial art training drills that have this as one of their purposes. In dog training we can also use training drills to teach this type of awareness. First we pay attention to the details, then we practice until we don’t need to think about what we’re doing, then we develop the ability to use what we know. When a skill has been mastered the practitioner performs the act effortlessly. While the behavior can be executed without thought, the actor is still aware of what they’re doing, and within certain limits can still teach other. At this level we begin to see not only with our eyes but also with our minds.
Another subtle element of awareness is acceptance. Awareness and acceptance go hand in hand. Often we need to become aware of something before we accept it. Sometimes we need to accept something before we’re aware of its true meaning.
Acceptance is one of those traits that can be measured in degrees. Few individuals accept others, or events, a 100 percent. If you’re one of the people who strives to live a good life you must develop acceptance along with awareness. For the majority of people awareness helps one know what needs to be accepted, what needs to be changed, and what can be changed.
There is a type of awareness that involves a subtle understanding that is integrated into one’s being. This awareness is as much about feelings as understanding. Higher levels of awareness involve controlling disruptive emotions so the mind can see clearly with unhampered intellect and perception. Seeing clearly requires observation without judgment. We can transcend average levels of awareness by seeing past primitive emotions, understanding our true nature, and accepting. We develop higher levels of awareness through conscious study and internal reflection. Advanced states of awareness can be developed with self cultivation. Be forewarned that this type of awareness is difficult for most people.
While awareness may give one the ability to act effectively, by itself, it doesn’t ensure that one will act right. Right mindfulness requires that an additional Point of Reference become Significant, and that is Acceptance.
Andrew Ledford
The Dog Saint
I am a physically challanged women. My caring dog is helping me in my day to day activities. It is my good companion and friend. I can’t live without my sweet shally.