Back in Ontological Mode again; Discouragement as a Mere Mind State that Will Pass

From the vantage point of mindfulness literature, emotional states, although they can feel supremely powerful and consuming, are just transient mind states, nothing more. The metaphor that's been utilized in books, articles and guided meditations is comparing our moods to the earth's weather. Just like our minds, on the earth it rains, then the sun comes out, then it gets foggy. There are many more changes and they will continue to flux and cycle. The key is that there is no inherent goodness or badness about each of the earth's weather states. Sunshine isn't inherently better than rain whether we prefer it or not; both sunshine and rain are simply passing states the earth cycles through. The same applies to inner mind states. The problem is that as humans, we've been conditioned to constantly be seeking pleasure and avoiding pain, when ironically pleasure is temporary by nature and pain is inevitable by nature. (Do you know anyone who's never felt pain?) In this sense, we can help ourselves out immensely by not trying to hold on to pleasure longer than it's meant to stay (there by enjoying it more) and not trying to avoid pain when it inexorably visits us, and embracing it as temporary. 

Returning back to the weather analogy, that's most important is our willingness to be awake and aware regardless of the "weather" state of our minds. No matter what's going on, we can always tune into the vast awareness that lingers below. Staying in the vast awareness is what mindfulness and Ontological Being are all about. It turns out, this unconditional presence, no matter what the present state, is always in reach. By purposely practicing mindfulness, we can train our minds to be less affected by the current mind state and tune into the awareness below. In my field of Marriage & Family Therapy, we can think of this as focusing on process, instead of content, which is where change really occurs. This realization is what's helped me tap into the peace below the Everyday Mode turbulence; I'm feeling inspired even though my recent mind states have been like this picture below.