Thursday, February 23, 2006

MINDFULNESS Part One: Living the days we have, today!

Ever notice your life so full of “things to do”? Have you ever been in a space where it seems the days are a bit of a blur because what you’re so intently focused on is “what’s coming up”, “where do I have to be” or “what has to be done”? Have you filled your life so very full of deadlines and obligations that “today” is just jammed full of things “to do” to get you to “tomorrow”? Yet, it seems “today’s the day we live, tomorrow never comes” because “tomorrow” is just like “today” in that we're always looking forward to “tomorrow”!

I know, a dizzying intellect, I have!

I had every intention of sharing all the wonderful things I learned in a Mindfulness seminar I took part in over the last three Wednesdays. As I sat down to write this I noticed about me a sense of anxiety, a sense of urgency and a sense of “Oh my gosh, I have SO MUCH TO DO TODAY!” This is precisely the mode that Mindfulness is designed to make us aware of, but not get wrapped up in.

A few things to ponder before Part Two:

Imagine being able to OBSERVE what you’re doing, feeling and thinking without actually being swept up in it.

Think about focusing on your body. What’s your breathing like? What sensations are you feeling physically in the individual parts of your body?

What would you see if you took your focus away from living in the future or the past?

…stay tuned…

6 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm thinking I've noticed that for sure, especially when I didn't use the internet that much and never watched tv. In Switzerland I noticed the moment, lived for the moment but here in Canada, I think I've gotten out of that regime a bit. I've been thinking about that all morning actually as time is passing by too quickly. I think I'll have to start thinking about things a bit more again though.

Ok - I'm not sure I made any sense but it sounded pretty good rambling off my finger tips at a very fast rate.

Sarah Elaine said...

As my very first yoga teacher used to say, "Be in the now."

ipodmomma said...

was listening to Radio 4 yesterday, and a gal from Northern Ireland was talking aobut the outdoors, how good it is for our souls, and she said something very much along the lines of your post...

taking each momnet, and living in it, not missing what is right around us...

her accent, as well as her words, was beautiful, and I just drove, and listened... trying to let that sink into my head...

Ginnie Hart said...

Oh yes. The "tyranny of the urgent." I like what you're saying because it really IS about "The Power of Now." (Eckhart Tolle) So hard to do....

wthenrest said...

Yes, I also think of this often. Especially on those days where there are a lot of demands placed on me. This seminar sounds very interesting. Where would one find such a thing?
Feeling and being in the moment are definitely tough ones. I think the observing part I have down too a fine art. Perhaps I am observing the wrong things.
The future is easy to forget more so than the past ...don't you think?

Granny said...

Catching up again. Finally managed to add you to bloglines. It was going on strike everytime I tried.

Yep - stay in the now. Much easier to say than to do.

Enjoy your dancing and don't step on the cat. They resent it and will tell you so immediately.

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Calgary, Alberta, Canada
English student, Pottery enthusiast, Yoga novice and lover of all people. I make friends over a warm handshake and a beverage. I discover, every day, someone willing to help me along my path.