Mindful

MINDFUL = having knowledge, remembrance, or recognition; taking thought or care; bringing one's attention to experience the present moment

QUESTION: Can you be present as Mind/Consciousness?

STORY: Today our world is full of flashing advertisements (TV, Internet, Social Media, highway billboards) constantly grabbing our attention - for profit of course. Did you know that our attention is our most valuable asset? Yes and yet few people seem to take charge of their precious attention. You might think about choosing one day a week to turn off all your digital devices and mindfully spend time in nature or activate some kind of creative expression. (Every Tuesday I paint and all digital stuff is turned off.) Mindfully relax and just observe yourself and the world around you - without judgment - without changing what you observe. This is a simple way to be present as Mind/Consciousness.

QUOTES

“We need enlightenment, not just individually but collectively, to save the planet. We need to awaken ourselves. We need to practice mindfulness if we want to have a future, if we want to save ourselves and the planet.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

“Mindfulness is about love and loving life. When you cultivate this love, it gives you clarity and compassion for life, and your actions happen in accordance with that.” ~ Jon Kabat-Zinn

“Mindfulness means being aware of how you're deploying your attention and making decisions about it, and not letting the tweet or the buzzing of your BlackBerry call your attention.” ~ Howard Rheingold

EXERCISE

Stop.

Relax.

Sit calmly and just become aware of your body. Feel and release any unnecessary tension in the neck, shoulders, tummy, thighs.

Get your pen and paper and write words describing what your body FEELS like when it is relaxed. If you have another minute, draw lines or squiggles expressing the FEELING of BEING PRESENT HERE NOW as Mind/Consciousness.