Summary

This book combines the many practices of mindfulness (embracing the power of the present), tips on how to harness the power of your own mind, and how to make changes in our mind. The fact is, we have all we need to make any necessary changes to better our lives without changing external circumstances per se. The future is the result of what we do right now, and the reality IS NOW IS THE ONLY TIME! In the words of a great Buddhist Teacher, Pema Chodron, “How we relate to the now creates the future.”

The number 66 is in the title and a prominent feature of this book as it relates to the actual number of days it takes to create a new habit. While this process may vary by individual, the only way to get to day 66 or day 500, is to start with day 1. My sincere hope and wish for each reader is that this book inspires them to take the challenge to embrace the NOW; to realize that the most potent changes start within; and to be inspired by the information contained in this book to begin to take the power of change and happiness into their own hands.

A note about the image that you will see throughout this book, it depicts what is known as a Mudra, which is a hand gesture often utilized in yoga and / or meditation practice. Practicing these various hand postures, known as Mudras, is known to be a useful way to effect the body’s meridians / fields of energy, to then turn attention inward to the body, thus fine-tuning your body awareness. Furthermore, many Mudras have beautiful meaning, and to focus on the meaning is very thought provoking. I find the symbology or meaning of a Mudra to be a poignant and literal depiction of how one can take their well-being into their own hands. That is what this book is all about.

In both law and life, there is a constant challenge to attempt to control external circumstances without allowing this to result in constant mood fluctuations and even how we perceive ourselves. This is where the practice of mindfulness is introduced in several of the sections of this book as a practice that teaches us to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we are doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed at what is going on around us. When our mind takes ‘flight’ we lose touch with our body and pretty soon we are engrossed in obsessive thoughts about something that just happened or fretting about the future. Mindfulness recognizes and cultivates the best of who we are as human beings – it’s all about paying attention in the present moment. Left to itself, the mind wanders through all kinds of thoughts – including thoughts expressing anger, craving depression, revenge, self-pity, etc. As we indulge in these kinds of thoughts we reinforce those emotions in our hearts and cause ourselves to suffer. Mostly, these thoughts are about the past or future. Since the past no longer exists and the future is just a fantasy until it happens, the current moment is the one that should never be avoided.

To further emphasize, your brain and body are remarkable things. While emotion is something that we rely on from moment to moment, the reality is that the physiological mechanism behind emotion lasts only 90 seconds. If it lasts longer than this it is because we have chosen to rekindle it. If the emotion is a challenging one, body, speech and mind become engaged in running away from the feeling, which essentially keeps it going and going. The point here is again to help you to recognize the power of your own mind and how you can leverage some of the techniques offered within this book to improve each moment of your life and have better days as a result.

There are 66 sections in this book to emphasize how long it takes for us to form a new behavior that then becomes automatic. If a habit does not include addictive additives or stimulants, which make the withdrawal and brain processes different, if you take the habit out of your life, the same way you put one into your life, you will find yourself free of the unconscious, and, many time detrimental patterns that have their costs.

My hope for each reader of this book is that you will find new ways to create more equanimity in your days by trying any of the suggestions outlined in these 66 sections. This book is designed to be consciously utilized. While information can be powerful, without implementation it can be quickly forgotten and even considered a poor use of effort or time. There are places for you to take notes within this book, which I encourage you to utilize and to note the sections that you find most intriguing or useful in your daily life. My hope is that you will keep this book on your desk and work with it daily, or as often as time permits.

It is with profound gratitude that I invite you into deeper relationship with yourself.

Blessings on your journey.
Pam