Slowing down and being more mindful can provide incredible benefit to our happiness, sense of fulfillment and daily enjoyment. That said, it isn’t necessarily easy, in our work-a-day world, to achieve mindfulness. We are so far removed from being mindful, with work, family, friend, social media, and other distractions all vying for our attention, that we need a road map back to mindfulness. Here then are seven step to help guide you back to being mindful.
- Pay attention to your senses – Regardless of what you are doing, use all your senses. As I type this, I am focused on the feel of the keys under my fingers, my breath filling my lungs on the inhale and escaping my lips on the exhale. The support of my chair and the floor beneath my feet. My ears take in the sound of my nails clicking against the keys, the keys depressing, the sound of my computer’s fan whirring and the occasional whine of my neglected puppy. My eyes take in the light of my monitor and the letters appearing from the ether on the page. The taste of my coffee lingers on my tongue, as does the scent of the coffee in the air. In this moment, all of my senses have me mindfully in this moment.
- Non-Judging – Adopt an attitude of non-judgement. Become an impartial witness to your own experience. Be an observer and become aware of the constant stream of reacting to and judging your inner and outer experience. In this moment, the words flow, unfettered. I am not judging their quality, just letting them flow.
- Patience -Exercise your capacity for patience. Patience is a form of wisdom, with patience we understand that things will unfold in their own time. As I write, I am patiently allowing the task to develop, not rushing or checking the clock. I am staying in the moment and allowing the time for the task to be complete, this is embracing being more mindful.
- Beginner’s Mind – As children we are receptive to everything, but as we mature, we develop limitations based on our experience. Try to remain open, curious and receptive to possibilities. View the world with awe.
- Trust – Trust in yourself and your feelings. Trust that you are doing and being exactly as you should
- Non-Striving -Pay attention to the here and now without trying to change a thing.
- Acceptance and Letting Go – See things as they are and accept them accordingly. Stay in the moment and let go of any thoughts or emotions the mind wants to hold onto.
