Changing one’s relationship to digital devices can help bring clarity, increase happiness, and reduce feelings of stress in one’s daily life. In this series we highlight individuals and digital resources from Menla’s extended community that can help anyone mindfully navigate the internet. This week we look at the value of unplugging and sitting with the unknown with Marni Pogachefsky.
Why Unplug?
So often we go through the motions of doing our daily tasks, caught in front of our screens, working, responding to emails, scrolling through social media, time slips by, and before we know it, there’s “no time” left for self care and reflection on what really matters.
Sitting with the Unknown
One of the most amazing opportunities I’ve been given is to really sit in the unknown. Like many folks, the unknown has never been a particularly comfortable place for me. Prior to my meditation retreats, sitting still for 10-15 minutes was so difficult because everything in my mind and body would scream “why aren’t you doing something with your life… you’re wasting time!” While I still hear myself thinking this from time to time, I’m really exploring sitting in the discomfort of not knowing, and allowing myself to stay open to when the “right opportunities” present themselves.
The Lesson of Doing Nothing
Another beautiful lesson I’ve encountered is that I don’t have to “do” anything or “be” anywhere specific to be happy. The most amazing thing I can do is be fully present. Happiness for me now isn’t the removal of pain and suffering; it’s the perspective I take on it. It’s been wildly powerful to shift from saying “my circumstances need to change for me to be happy” to “when my perspective around my circumstances shifts, and I can be present with what’s showing up, I can appreciate how amazing this life and moment are.”
I still get upset and annoyed and feel all the feelings, and I’m certainly not an expert yet at shifting my perspective to being fully present, but the awareness and practice of this concept have been life-changing for me.
To learn more about the work of Marni Pogachefsky, please visit: www.marnimae.com.
“Your facilities and location are outstanding for retreats, and the staff are incredibly courteous and helpful. Being in the mountains, wandering along the streams and paths and disconnecting from the business of our daily lives was wonderful. Thank you for creating such a welcoming and warm environment.”
Lori P.
“Homerun. One of the best retreats I’ve ever attended. Was an incredible treat especially to have so much access to Krishna Das, and I will never forget the Robert Thurman’s hysterical and insightful words. Incredibly inspiring and powerful weekend!”
Susan W.
“My favorite retreat center in the East coast. A real abode of the Dharma.”
Nitzan Blouin
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