Our theme in class this week is being present. This is one of those easier-said-than-done ideas. Have you ever experienced eating while driving? Surfing the net while watching a movie? Texting while sharing a meal with someone? Daydreaming when someone is talking to you? If you are in a state of constant multi-tasking, are you ever truly present? I love the quote above my cup of tea. "Live the actual moment."
What does this mean? Consider this. If you're eating, just eat. Enjoy the food, taste it even, relish it, enjoy it. Enjoy, too, the person or people sharing the meal with you. Look at them, make eye contact, and have a conversation. Out loud, with your actual voice. When driving, just drive. Don't eat or drink or fiddle with the music. Don't reach into the back seat. And does it really need to be said? When you're driving, don't text or chat on your phone! Driving is kind of a big deal. Cars are huge pieces of machinery.
In class, we often anchor ourselves to the actual moment through a practice of breath awareness. This week, we anchored with our breath as well as mantra. The Vietnamese monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, is one of my favorite go-to guys when it comes to mindfulness and living in the moment. I love his book, Happiness, and I borrowed one of his meditations for class this week. The next time you are feeling distracted, try this, and let me know how it goes in the comments.
Meditation to bring yourself into the Moment
Come into easy pose or sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Root down through your sitting bones and rise up tall through your spine, crown of the head pressing up toward the sky. Roll your shoulders back and down and connect with your natural breath. Take a minute to settle in, then add the following mantras with your breath.
Breathing in, I follow my in-breath all the way through
Breathing out, I follow my out-breath all the way through
Breathing in, I’m aware of my body
Breathing out, I release all the tension in my body.
Breathing in, I know I am breathing in.
Breathing out, I know I am breathing out.
As my in-breath grows deep,
My out-breath grows slow.
Breathing in, I calm my body,
Breathing out, I feel at ease.
Breathing in, I smile,
Breathing out, I release.
Dwelling in the present moment,
I know this is a wonderful moment.
What does this mean? Consider this. If you're eating, just eat. Enjoy the food, taste it even, relish it, enjoy it. Enjoy, too, the person or people sharing the meal with you. Look at them, make eye contact, and have a conversation. Out loud, with your actual voice. When driving, just drive. Don't eat or drink or fiddle with the music. Don't reach into the back seat. And does it really need to be said? When you're driving, don't text or chat on your phone! Driving is kind of a big deal. Cars are huge pieces of machinery.
In class, we often anchor ourselves to the actual moment through a practice of breath awareness. This week, we anchored with our breath as well as mantra. The Vietnamese monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, is one of my favorite go-to guys when it comes to mindfulness and living in the moment. I love his book, Happiness, and I borrowed one of his meditations for class this week. The next time you are feeling distracted, try this, and let me know how it goes in the comments.
Meditation to bring yourself into the Moment
Come into easy pose or sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Root down through your sitting bones and rise up tall through your spine, crown of the head pressing up toward the sky. Roll your shoulders back and down and connect with your natural breath. Take a minute to settle in, then add the following mantras with your breath.
Breathing in, I follow my in-breath all the way through
Breathing out, I follow my out-breath all the way through
Breathing in, I’m aware of my body
Breathing out, I release all the tension in my body.
Breathing in, I know I am breathing in.
Breathing out, I know I am breathing out.
As my in-breath grows deep,
My out-breath grows slow.
Breathing in, I calm my body,
Breathing out, I feel at ease.
Breathing in, I smile,
Breathing out, I release.
Dwelling in the present moment,
I know this is a wonderful moment.
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