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"Mindfulness gives you time. Time gives you choices. Choices, skillfully made, lead to freedom. You don't have to be swept away by your feeling. You can respond with wisdom and kindness rather than habit and reactivity." ~ Bhante Henepola Gunaratana
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It is common for us to react emotionally and instantly to sensory stimuli or our inner likes and dislikes, rather than think patiently and then act intelligently.
This is due to the influence of our vasanas or unconscious impressions which determine our likes and dislikes, amplified by habit as cravings and aversions.
Where there are cravings and aversions, there is no mental equanimity and awareness. Regression in one's professional and personal life,disharmony, crimes, conflict and war all stem from one's cravings and aversions which prompt an emotional reaction rather than a intelligent response.
Present moment awareness or mindfulness helps one to override any regressive emotional reaction, and instead respond with wisdom and intelligence. This brings about intelligent actions that create balance and overall progress in our lives.