“Live
your life each day, as you would climb a mountain. An occasional glance towards
the summit keeps the goal in mind, but many beautiful scenes are to be observed
from each new vantage point.”
-
Harold B. Melchart
Have you
ever pulled into your driveway and not remembered the journey home? Or gone to
the store and managed to grab everything on your list but somehow cannot name one
item in your cart? We are all guilty of these deeds or similar acts due to the
busy nature of our lives. Everyone experiences moments in which the brain operates
on autopilot and we simply go through the motions of life. However, in doing so we rob our lives of many
experiences in the present. Even though the necessary task is complete we
deprive ourselves of moments between point A and B. It is like a dancer who
lacks passion for the art and simply moves through designated steps. Our lives
deserve passion in each step in order to appreciate the beauty in each passing
moment. Through the art of mindfulness we will obtain the ability to turn the
brain off autopilot and we begin to treasure each step in our journeys.
Mindfulness
in essence is awareness. Mindfulness creates a consciousness in each and every
act no matter how small or large. Through this consciousness we obtain the gift
of the present moment without the worry of what lies ahead or behind us. Too
often we search beyond the moment of immediacy for a sense of clarity when the
answer lies within our hearts in the present. Mindfulness is the state of being
completely within the self and all that entails in each passing moment. This
does not necessarily mean we will love every thought that enters our mind or
every path we reach; instead mindfulness serves as an acceptance of things as
they are at any given moment. When we are mindful we are fully awake and aware
of the possibilities that unfold in the present moment. Through the practice of
mindfulness we produce a deep gratitude for the now and become fully awake to
appreciate every moment.
Mindfulness
is not necessarily an act of meditation or a religion; instead it is a practice
with ancient roots. While mindfulness is at the heart of Buddhist meditation,
is it practiced worldwide in a variety of ways. In yoga we practice mindfulness
on our mats by using the breath to bring us to the present moment. The beauty
of the practice is that we can take this off our mats and apply it anywhere in
our lives. The art of mindfulness is practical for anyone who seeks a deeper
sense of consciousness and awareness in their daily lives. For further reading
I highly recommend the book Wherever You
Go, There You Are by John Kabat-Zinn which makes the art of mindful
meditation very accessible and applicable to everyday life. John Kabat-Zinn truly
helped me make mindfulness a practical art, which I incorporate in my everyday
life. If you chose to integrate this practice in your life I recommend
dedicating several reflective moments each day to focus on being fully present.
This can take place anywhere in your day such as a yoga class, the shower,
driving, or eating. Allow yourself to relish in every breath in a pose on your
mat, feel the warmth of every water drop in the shower, fully experience each
bump in the road, or savor each flavor in every bite. As you take your first steps toward
mindfulness, remember it is not always the destination but the journey. Enjoy
the smaller moments along the way. After all, life is made up of enchanting
moments, which create each day.
By Julie Strittmatter
No comments:
Post a Comment