Mindfulness
/You may have heard the term "be present" in reference to your yoga practice, meditation, or even as a helpful suggestion to achieve better communication or relationships. Being present, or the practice of Mindfulness, can be thought of as meditation without meditating. In mindfulness, we can observe each moment in any situation with calm abiding, clear seeing, non-judgment, and non-attachment. This is a valuable practice to bring in to our daily lives. As the name implies, it is not something we can just do. It requires practice. It can be practiced during any activity, even something as simple and routine as doing the dishes.
Try any or all of these mindful practices to experience the routines of daily life in a deeper way.
Meal Preparation:
Take your time and bring awareness to your actions as you cook. Feel the texture of the food as you touch it, cut it, stir it, sample it. Notice the aromas, the colors, the shapes. As you prepare the meal, give thanks for the ingredients. Honor the animals, plants, farmer, soil, and the rain and sunshine that made it possible for this food to be on your table. Meditate on the love that you have for whomever will be eating the food: your family, friends, coworkers, yourself. Bless them and feel blessed for the honor of providing them nourishment.
Meditate on the love you have for whomever will be eating the food.
Meal Time:
Give the meal your full attention. Eat without the distraction of any other activity. Take time to give thanks for the food. You might choose to say grace or to simply take a moment of gratitude. Eat with your eyes first. See the colors and textures. Pause before your bite - inhale the aroma of the food. Chew slowly and thoroughly, observing the temperature, texture, and flavors. Observe what you feel as you chew, as you swallow. Pause for a few moments after you swallow and notice any sensations you may feel. Notice when you have had enough and honor that feeling.
Give your meal your full attention.
Post-Meal:
Approach clean up as a joyful act - what a privilege it is to be able to share in all parts of a wonderful meal! Continue to observe how you feel after eating. Did the meal give you energy? Make you feel tired? Do you notice any other sensations?
Approach clean up as a joyful act.
Walking:
Observe the sensations of your feet as they make contact with the earth. Feel the weight and pressure on the sole of your foot as you roll across it with each step. What do you notice about the surface you are walking on? Is it firm or does it give? Does it have texture, temperature? Does your step make a sound? What else do you sense as you walk? See? Feel? Hear? Smell?
Observe the sensations of your feet as they make contact with the earth.
Mindfulness practices encourage us to look at things more clearly and without judgment. Applying mindfulness to your actions is not about scrutinizing “good” or “bad” choices or to change “good” or “bad” habits. It is about experiencing each moment fully present and aware as best as we are able.
