Really, you don’t need an ashram — it’s easier than you think!
Mindfulness might seem like a far-off, mystical, ungraspable concept. Something that you, as an extremely busy person, would certainly have no time to dedicate to. Luckily, this isn’t true. Mindfulness is within everyone’s reach, even if you don’t have time to master the secrets of the universe.
Put simply, mindfulness is being aware of your thoughts and actions in the moment. This doesn’t always have to be an otherworldly, mind-altering experience: it can just be enough to ground you, to calm you down after a busy day, or to take a moment for yourself.
Start small, maybe just by noticing your breath and taking a few breaths very consciously.
Most of the time, we don’t even think about this essential thing that we do all the time. And so focussing on your breath is an easy thing to pay attention to, and you don’t need to spend a lot of time doing it. Allow yourself to zone in on your breath: the expansion and decompression of the lungs, the sound of the air resonating in your body, the smell.This initial exercise is the gateway to being mindful with the rest of the body. Notice how your feet feel, then move up to the legs, hips, chest, shoulders, and down the arms to the hands. Finally, notice how your head weighs down on your neck, and the angle at which it is bent.
Both of these things can be done almost anywhere, though it can be challenging to do while rushing somewhere.
This common occurrence, for some, can be one of the most difficult and rewarding situations to practice mindfulness. When you’re not rushing somewhere, you can also use your travel time for mindfulness. Instead of looking at your phone, take time to survey your surroundings.Notice if the sun is out, how strong the wind is, what the temperature is like outside.
Allow yourself a moment to relax and let your concerns slip into the back of your mind while you enjoy the beauty of the day.
Photo courtesy of Flickr via CC0
Inspirational!
Beautiful!