It is Monday, overcast, the evidence of autumn ever present as the days grow shorter and the leaves release their hold on the branches and drift to the ground. Despite the dreariness of the day, I have choices to be made and projects to complete.
One of the perks about working for myself and having a home office is that I do not have to commute. No roads to navigate and no rush hour traffic to compete with. I simply have to make my way down the stairs without tripping over one of the four frantic felines. Instead of sitting in a car for an hour or more I have the luxury of going on a morning walk. Today I chose my treadmill and a short work-out over my usual 6km, as I knew neither I nor my walking mates would enjoy the rain that was pelting down.
I use this ‘treadmill’ time to be mindful. In front of me I have a vision board I created for our perfect Retreat Center, something which already exists in so many ways yet which Jim and I dream of expanding. I don’t want to be fixed on a specific manifestation of this dream as it is an intention not a goal. I simply stay focused and keep myself present with the intention.
Jon Kabat-Zinn says that “Mindfulness is the practice of being completely engaged in the present moment. The idea is to clear your mind of every thought, every judgment, every reflection and every decision so that you are simply experiencing the present. This enables us to see the moment for what it is, without any pre-conceived notions or thoughts.”
Now this is a challenge, being present in the moment when life seems to constantly pull at me. I took a few moments today to begin watching a presentation Kabat-Zinn did with Google. Something he said about meditation really struck me. He said that meditation was a way to find our mind, that meditation is an act of love and an act of sanity.
I am realizing that I want to find that quiet place within me, that mindful place. Why? I believe I have much work yet to accomplish. In some ways it feels like my work has only just begun. For me to manifest what I believe to be my work, I need to remain grounded and clear. As Kabat-Zinn suggests, it is important to embrace a willingness to know what you don’t know, to create an opening for something much bigger than our minds can conceive. This is what Kabat-Zinn, calls awareness.
There is plenty I don’t know. What I do know is that it is very difficult to see the SIGNS, those synchronous events that cross my path everyday, if I am not able to find the quiet place inside. In the world of doing, there is no space for reflection and understanding.
I have decided that I want to expand my mindfulness practice to something more than a morning jaunt on my treadmill. I see this as a sure fire antidote to busyness. I am not sure what this looks like yet – I will keep you posted.
Your thoughts?
Until next time,
Betty