Mindfulness
Right now, PAUSE and close your eyes…
Take a long, deep breath,
SAY HELLO TO YOUR INNER SELF, then
Linger right there for a moment…
When embarking on a mindfulness relationship whether it is one-to-one, with a class, a workshop or giving a presentation, these are my go-to preliminary suggested resources to be read prior to meeting.
I love this TEDTalk because AnneMarie is speaking to middle school and high school students. She presents incredible mindfulness research in an understandable and effective way that gets across the myriad of mindful benefits.
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Re-Treat
Each time I enter a meditation hall especially in a monastery, I pause at the door to behold its magnificence. Any meditation space, no matter how big or small instantly surrenders one to step into being.
At least for me, this truth is constant. Each time I do, I feel this way.
Typically, contemplation containers are minimal of objects. This is a deliberate design and meant to lure one in presence and breath to fill the space. Orchards praising a Buddha may be purposefully placed.
Incense and a singing bowl or an orchestra of them may surround inviting cushions. Pews or chairs seem to wait patiently to support yearning bodies. When the doors open and human temples assemble to enter the room, tiptoeing and blessed silence is expected.
I love the rich smell of the glossed wooden floor. I pause to inhale it deeply as part of my escape ritual that seems to capture and savor a perfect match to the quiet yet staccato rhythm of toes or swish of socks when the rest enter. Each person keenly strides to find their spot and nestles in.
Over the years every time I repeat this magical ablution I know that I have been called, placed in our universe as a mindfulness messenger. Wherever I may be and choose to close my eyes and take a breath I say to myself, this right here is a given treat.
Every time I feel as if I am at the entrance of a meditation hall on retreat. When I am in practice I am aware that I seek an entryway to retreat. In those jeweled moments I know that I am where and whom I am meant to be.
You may see a version of this in my memoirish-novella, Egress, to be published soon.
Dear Tahira,
In the midst of a pandemic and the feeling that we were all so divided and alone, your Mindfulness seminar with my Voice Studio was really important. You peacefully brought us together and we moved and breathed as one. Through your loving and graceful leadership and vibrant voice, we were able to share intimacy and joy even virtually through the computer screen. Thank you for your generosity, your wisdom, and your depth. We were all changed for the better.