mindfulness
Mindfulness is not an endless Om
Mindfulness has been popping up in mainstream culture for the last 50 years, but still remains elusive and lets be honest, it sounds like a lot of work. Even though Mindfulness is often taught within the framework of an 8 week Stress Reduction course, it is more accessible than you think.
More and more people practice Mindfulness without a formal training or a gaining certificate, moreso because Mindfulness is found in all cultures, its basic teachings are actually a returning to the original self. You may not be aware that aspects of the practice can be found in gardening, in solving a brain teaser or watching waves crash upon the shore. Just thinking about these experiences brings a calmness to our breath and a relaxation of our muscles.
Image par John Hain de Pixabay
As we are caught up in a world of doing more, better and faster, we fall into up in an endless cycle of doing and not being. This is where Mindfulness brings us back to the essence of engaging in tasks without the distraction and any accompanying stress. At the end of which one feels relaxed in thought and joyful in presence. And although it does sound like it but it’s not purely about concentration. It’s about using positive thought and acceptance which when mastered, the mind becomes flexible and completely present.
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Amongst other benefits, Mindfulness can train the “monkey mind” and its effects on our nervous system. Allowing us to be present without jumping from the past to the present to the future. We learn to leave the consistent chatter and judgement behind, building a new path of experiencing moments. We start to recognise that experience does not create our identity. That, stress, trauma, negative emotions are only an aspect of our experience, a thread in the tapestry of our lives. Eventually allowing us to experience a freedom that most of has never been experienced before.
Mindfulness teaches us through various principles that our life is far more simpler than we have ever perceived. Once we remove the elements of uncertainty, worry and haste, we replace it with gratitude, joy and freedom. Which in turn motivates us to excel in every task and to respond to situations rather than to react to them.
Mayendree Pather
Take that moment when anxiety starts to set in, your breath changes, there is an automatic tensing of the muscles, the mind starts to spin out of control. Using the first step of Mindfulness, the 3 step breathing practice immediately halts the anxiety. You start to focus on the bodily sensations, gently calmly the breathe and your body. Thus redirecting the focus on the reactions of the mind, clearing the angst and giving the mind space to focus.
Integrating simple Mindfulness practices into your everyday life is an effective method towards conquering that “monkey mind”.
Being joyfully and completely immersed in a task, helps us to start to engage meaningfully rather than just mindless doing. If this is mastered you can easily carry it over to other more complex experiences. Lets take the simple everyday task of brushing your teeth. Something that we do twice a day for two to three minutes. Turning this essential seemingly chore into a Mindfulness practice connects you with a new internal experience of being, person who enjoys what would have been a chore.
Start by focusing your senses on your toothbrush, its textures, the weight in your hand. The strength you need to squeeze the toothpaste out of the tube. Feel the bristles on your gums, the angle of your arm as you brush. Hear the sounds of the bristles moving against your teeth. Notice the sense of taste and smell of the toothpaste. Become part of the experience. After a few days, start to notice your feet on the floor, the posture in which you stand. Are you breathing deeply or shallowly? Is there any tension in your body? If yes, can you acknowledge the tension? Experiencing the complete awareness of brushing your teeth is a step towards conscious living and not automatic doing.
Help yourself to remember this practice by printing out this card and sticking it on your bathroom mirror. The different symbols will guide you through the sensory discovery.
About the author
Mayendree Pather has a background of different cultures. She is born in South Africa, and has an Indian heritage.
Mayendree founded Anahata-Klang in 2010. Her journey of self discovery and spirituality started 21years ago when she sought balance with her personal goals and a high pressured job as a fashion and textile designer. After completing meditation courses with the Brahma Kumaris, Mayendree sought to build upon the skills that she learned. Soon thereafter she completed the Reiki Master levels. Since then she has trained in Mindfulness, Shamanism, sound therapy, mediumship and is a Swiss certified adult teacher (SVEB1).
She believes that mindfulness and meditation should be accessible to everyone, as inner peace is an essential foundation to an authentic life. Far too often, we place emphasis on striving, achieving goals which come at great detrimental personal costs. It is her wish that we are all able to find, cultivate and access our inner sanctuary of calm peace and unconditional love.
Mayendree Brilliant the way you have expressed Mindfulness. I’m very much into Mindfulness and meditation which has given me light within myself. 🙏🏻
Your approach to mindfulness and the relevant practical steps to a balanced mind is indeed welcomed especially during these turbulent times!Its inspiring to note that the author has an origin in South Africa and is making an imporant and meaningful impact in Switzerland !
Looking forward to your next contribution.