Stop. Do you hear those cars driving by, or that air conditioning unit running? How does the seat that you’re sitting on feel? Is there any discomfort present? Look at the trees swaying in the wind. Observe anyone walking by. Take a deep breath and really feel it. Perform this a few times. Bring your attention back to the present moment.
Congratulations. You just engaged in a moment of mindfulness.
Far too often we live our lives in a state of passiveness, always attempting to avoid the present moment. We get caught up in the past and perpetually wonder about the '“what ifs” and “could/should haves”. We believe that the reason for unsatisfactoriness that we experience now is a result of the past failing to meet our expectations. In other words, the human ego tends to shift responsibility away from itself and instead on external circumstances to reconcile the negative sensations that it perceives.
Likewise, the same phenomenon occurs in consideration of the future. The ego hopes for a better “yet-to-be” yet for most individuals, these hopes never come to fruition. Our fantasy of eventually being satisfied once X event has occurred will never yield any significant results. Whether we realize it or not, we are committing the exact mistake that our future selves will chide us for. So if it’s not being faulted by the past or looking towards a future that will never come, then what? The answer is simple and can be found here and now: the present.
If you observe reality with a keen eye, you will come to realize that the present is all there is. Everything that happened in the past was once the present, and the future will eventually come to be the present. With this in mind, our conception of a chronological timeline turns into a constantly moving dot in time. When we realize that the present moment is all that ever exists, we suddenly become more empowered in our actions. There is no need to regret the past; it is gone like a speck in the wind. Waiting for the future is counterproductive; our future is crafted now.
By implementing the simple act of mindfulness now, your outlook on life will improve immensely. Feelings such as anxiety and dread can subside and make room for bliss and contentment. I’ve found that incorporating some of the following routines into my life has greatly aided me. Try them yourself and take note of the changes you experience afterward.
Mindful meditation- there is simply no better practice to cultivate a more peaceful awareness. Taking precious time to be, to feel- however it may be- can be so incredibly impactful.
Going on a walk- similarly, stepping outdoors and observing the natural order of the world can yield calming results. Nature is, perhaps, the greatest teacher of them all.
Reading- books are a microcosm of life. Word by word, moment by moment, until the end is reached.
Performing an artistic activity- engaging in creativity is an excellent way to direct one’s attention to the now. All external noise is blocked and it’s you simply doing.
To conclude this newsletter, I’d like to provide a quote from Blaise Pascal, the 17th French theologian:
“All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”
Your thoughts are not the enemy. The outside world is not the enemy. The untrained mind and all of the false precepts that it falls for is the true adversary of a more intentional life. It must be said, then, that the mind should be treated as a cooperative aspect of ourselves and not as an annoying roommate.
Sitting with your thoughts, with yourself- with presence itself- is the gateway to a satisfactory life. The best part? It’s all available right now, in this moment- for that’s all that there is.
Additional Resources
Wherever You Go, There You Are- a book by Jon Kabat-Zinn, a world-renowned mindfulness teacher. Highly worth a read and I strongly recommend it.
A seminar also by Jon Kabat-Zinn. Make some time to watch it and I’m sure you will not be disappointed.
An excellent article on what mindfulness is, why you should implement it, and additional exercises. Succinct but impactful.
A 10-minute guided meditation, because why not. These never fail to get me in a right state of mind and body.
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