Mind the gap

“Mind the gap” is a repeated announcement in the London Underground Metro that reminds people to mind the gap between the platform and the train so that accidents could be avoided. Never thought that a train station announcement could also have deep spiritual import.

Align behaviour: The effort of spirituality is to provide the practitioner a space between choice and action which is critical for overcoming compulsive behaviours. Most of us live our lives as slaves to our compulsions or habits that we are not even aware of but they govern our entire waking day – from the time of waking up to going to bed, what we eat/drink, who/what are we interested in, how we walk, etc. We live through most of the day out of reflex. It is when we want to change these habits that we find challenges and we come face to face with our own habits that refuse to change. The spiritual path and practices offer a gap between the urge and action – this gap is important for choice to be made. It is the awareness of this gap, when acted upon, that brings about change. Focussing on this gap to uphold change from vice to virtue helps in personality transformation.

Experience Advaita: Deeper still, during meditation, practitioners are asked to focus their attention on the gap that comes about when we breathe in and before we breathe out and vice versa- this gap when prolonged gives the experience of what lies beyond – Advaita/Nirguna which eventually takes the practitioner towards Nirvana.  

So remember to “mind the gap” 

The gap between choice and action for a Self Transformation

The gap between breath in and out for Self Realisation

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