Hi, Vicky. Thanks for the quote and share. I actually have been practicing Buddhist meditation as a result of steps 2 and 3. When I miss doing it, I notice! I give myself about a 1/2 hour in the early morning when I first get up and have some sips of tea, when no one else is up and about but the cats and the ghosts of milkmen.

Buddhist meditation involves introspective concentration on some object, such as the breath, which exercises our sensitivity to the parts of our consciousness aside from our discursive mind (the chatter box). This has a lasting effect all day and beyond, not to relax me but to awake me up to important experiences I would otherwise ignore or be insensitive to. It is strange how it works, as you try to concentrate on your body and gently bring yourself back when you get distracted by thinking (problems, grocery lists, dust needs cleaning, etc.). But, as I become more sensitive to how my mind works, both in how I think up the dramas and in otherwise being conscious of things, I find myself more able to catch my impulsive reactions and generally become more relax and confident during the rest of my day.

(I believe "transcendental meditation" has the different object of taking you above your concerns to relieve you while you are doing it but otherwise does not have an effect -- but I could be wrong, I am not an expert on this topic!!!).

That is enough of a reason for me to recommend it to anyone curious. But I am developing a tangible sense of the spiritual aspect of each moment through this increased sensitivity. I believe there is less of a clear "border" between my idea of myself and everything else, and that puts me in direct touch with my HP when I'm in touch.

I mentioned Buddhist meditation because "learning to take a step back" on a regular basis is like calisthenics for your heart and mind. We can develop the skill to "step back" at other times when we need to most with practcies such as your quote! There is nothing that cannot be made easier with practice.

Here's a good example of on-line instruction for anyone interested in a formal (but very easy) approach...

http://www.shambhala.org/teachers/pema/meditation3.php