MINDFULNESS IN ACTION ~ 3 Ways to Bring Mindfulness into Your Life
1. Breath Awareness
Remember how you have been feeling when you did your breathing practice from last week’s blog?
Please know and remember that you can bring yourself back to this anytime. There are many pranayama practices, one is to count your breath with an optional pause between the in- and exhales.
Another way to focus on your breath is to introduce a mantra or affirmation.
One very lovely ancient Sanskrit mantra is “So Hum” (“So” meaning “I am”, “Hum” meaning “that”). On your inhales silently repeat “So” in your mind, on your exhales “Hum”. This mantra is very soothing.
If you wish you can create your own affirmation or mantra in regards to your needs. This may be something like “I am loved.” “I am peace.” “Serenity”, “Love”, etc.
By repeating your mantra or affirmation your mind will become still and centered on the words. When occasional thoughts come in, become aware without judgement, and then let them go and continue with your chosen words. By training yourself in Dharana (part of Eight Fold Path of Yoga, meaning: concentration of the mind) you become the observer and witness of arising thoughts and emotions.
“Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”~ Frank Outlaw
2. Daily Tasks
Now here is the challenge. We easily loose ourselves in our daily routines and tasks.
One way to bring you back to this present moment is to start focusing on your breath again.
So many times we get out of bed in the morning and start our routine of brushing our teeth, taking a shower, making breakfast, etc. Before getting out of bed tomorrow morning, can you take a few deep conscious breaths and feel the sheets against your body, the warmth and comfort of the bed you lie in? Then when you place your feet on the floor, can you pause and ponder, what it feels like to feel your feet touching the ground? Can you remain present in the task of brushing your teeth and feel your toothbrush against your teeth and gums, taste the toothpaste?
As you move on with your day you may easily slip back to not being fully present. And that is okay. Pad yourself on the shoulder for the times that you do come back to the present moment. Know that our minds are tricky and thoughts sneak in on us easily, taking us away into the world of planning, worrying, etc.
“Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion.
What you perceive as precious is not time
but the one point that is out of time: the Now.
That is precious indeed.
The more you are focused on time
—past and future—
the more you miss the Now,
the most precious thing there is.”
~ Eckhart Tolle
3. Relationships and Yoga Practice
Moments of mindfulness allow you to enjoy the present moment and therefore your life fully.
Try it out in your yoga practice, by actively listening to someone, or when you go grocery shopping. You may find yourself more relaxed, joyful and aware.
By bringing mindfulness to your yoga practice you will be conscious about your needs, listen to your body and take your practice deeper by staying with your breath.
By active listening you will actually learn more about the other person. By fully relaxing, not thinking ahead of what you will say next but by simply putting your full attention on the other person, allows the conversation to explore new depths.
Next time you are grocery shopping or are standing in line, take a few deep breaths and become aware of your surroundings. Instead of rushing your cart through the aisles, your centeredness will allow for a more pleasant shopping experience. While waiting in line, take in your surroundings, come back to your breath and you may notice the lights, temperature, music and many others things that you haven’t been aware of on your last shopping trips.
By being balanced, calm and present you not only make each moment count but are also opening yourself to endless opportunities that you may have missed when you weren’t present to them.
Enjoy every moment, it’s all there is!
Wishing you the best on your mindfulness journey and always!
