Where do you spend most of your time? In the past, present or future? When we spend our time in either the past or future, we miss the present. Did you know that our mind can’t think about the present? Our mind can only think about the past or the future so that’s how it keeps us from the present.
In order to be in the present, we must learn to still the mind so that we can observe and enjoy the present moment. Mindfulness meditation is a great technique to learn the art of being mindful. Take 15 minutes to walk what normally takes you 30 seconds to walk. You want to do this barefoot. If you do this outside, forget about what others may say or think. This is for you.
Notice everything, the air temperature, the feel of the surface under your feet, what you feel on your skin, what you hear, see, smell maybe even taste. Pay attention to all the details. This is being in the now and according to Eckhart Tolle whose book The Power of Now details how one can awaken by learning to be in the present moment.
When I did this exercise, I walked on my deck early one morning. I noticed the change in the temperature of the deck as I walked from sunshine on the deck to those areas covered with shadow. I heard the wind rushing through the leaves of the avocado trees. As my experience came to an end, my two yellow labs rushed out to me.
I wrote this after my experience:
The wind whispers to the avocado leaves
as the shadows push back the warmth of the sun.
The ocean sits in all its regalness silently watching.
Motorcycles roar and basketballs bounce.
Golden velvet heads bound out with greetings.
What do you do to be mindful of the present moment? Have you ever taken the time to something in extreme slow motion to look at things differently?
Hi, Julieanne, We’re in the same FB blogging group (the Circulation Desk). You captured my attention here when you said to walk barefoot — I find myself doing this all the time (even outside). I think it has to do with running around my grandfather’s small town house & neighborhood in Iowa. My feet got tough (yes, we could afford shoes but why wear them?). 🙂
Don’t get me wrong, I love shoes and have a closet full of them but there is something marvelous about being barefoot (other than smacking my toes into things all the time). Looking forward to reading more of your posts.
Trish
http://www.robertssister.com
caregiving. family. advocacy.
Walking barefoot connects you with the earth much more and it can actually create balance with your emotions. However to walk so slowly that each little nuance is felt or observed is another thing. I really resisted this exercise until I did it. It opened up a new world of sensations! Thanks for sharing your love of being barefoot! I myself do not have tough feet! LOL!
Hi, Julieanne, We’re in the same FB blogging group (the Circulation Desk). You captured my attention here when you said to walk barefoot — I find myself doing this all the time (even outside). I think it has to do with running around my grandfather’s small town house & neighborhood in Iowa. My feet got tough (yes, we could afford shoes but why wear them?). 🙂
Don’t get me wrong, I love shoes and have a closet full of them but there is something marvelous about being barefoot (other than smacking my toes into things all the time). Looking forward to reading more of your posts.
Trish
http://www.robertssister.com
caregiving. family. advocacy.
I’ve been doing some meditation, gentle yoga and mind-body exercises to help cope
with stress sometimes . I found all this techniques engaged in my work, more energised and less anxious. They also help me to sleep better and have
fewer physical symptoms of stress.
That’s great. I read recently that doing meditation reduces your blood pressure, increases your immune system and makes your brain capable changing as needed which they thought stopped when we reached adulthood. My challenge is to do the walking meditation in that you are mindful when you go about your daily activities. Thanks for sharing!
Perfect post, Julieanne! Usually, I’m pretty good with my meditative time (usually barefoot too), but I’ve found these past weeks, in the midst of grief, very had to quiet my mind. Being too still and too quiet takes me to sadness right now. But I have figured out over the past few days that doing my yoga practice is “doable” right now and does take me to a more present state.
I so understand that grief. My Lady Ginger was my daughter dog! She wasn’t even 10. But time does heal and once I felt both she and Chelsea who transitioned 16 months later in my room one night. I talked to them like they were there and invited them into the bed. During the night I awoke to go to the bathroom but I wouldn’t move. You see I smell them and I didn’t want to break that spell. I fell asleep smelling them only to awaken later and I still smelled them. Again, I wouldn’t break the spell so I fell asleep again and awoke in the morning. The smell was gone but I knew I had the gift of one more night with my two girls. I’ll remember that memory always and it makes me smile! So wishing you dreams of Atticus, or a scent or a sound from him. He’s around you. Get mindful to notice them. It had to have been his path to leave when he did which means it must have been your path as well. I do believe everything happens as it should. Sending you a big hug. Ask Atticus to send you a sign if he can.
Currently, my favorite place is by my pond in the back yard. I love to feel the radiant sunlight on my skin, to hear the water spilling over the falls and to see the fish swim slowly through the water in a meandering, contented way. Prayer, which I can enjoy at any time and anyplace also quiets me, supporting me in the here and now.
That all sounds wonderful, Maureen. I need to find a spot like that!
I have written about mindfulness and meditation on my blog–always about how I need more of it and it’s a struggle! I went to a labyrinth once and really found that peaceful. I notice how often I have the radio on in the background while I’m doing things around the house, and I think even letting there be quiet for that kind of task would be good for me. This year I definitely want to make progress with being in the present and bringing mindfulness to my life. My progress thus far has been rather incremental, but progress is still progress!
Judy Stone-Goldman
The Reflective Writer
http://www.thereflectivewriter.com
Personal-Professional Balance Through Writing
Years ago I had the tv going in the background or the radio. It’s been several years now and I love the no-TV no-radio background. I even got to the point that listening to music would jar me unless it was mediation sounds or certain classical. Now I’m back to sometimes enjoying Motown or Enya or instrumentals or vocalists like Sinatra or Buble or Dean Martin or new age. But I have found that the normal everyday life without electronic assistance is much more peaceful.
Most yogis agree that the most difficult (and important) pose in a yoga class is savasana or corpse pose. Done at the end of class, this pose requires you to lie flat on your back, completely at rest, eyes closed and mind completely clear. Keeping outside thoughts (both future and past) from invading your mind is quite a challenge, but the benefits reaped are well worth it. Thanks for this post, Julieanne.
I haven’t been to yoga in awhile but that was the part I looked forward to the most! And I like what Adyashanti says about thoughts. He says to just sit and observe, remain detached from the thoughts and watch them leave. And it is so easy to get attached. But when I do, I detach and then go back to being the observer. It’s at least doing it. thanks for your comments.
I love how the practice of MM opens up my senses and allows me to receive more info from the world around me as you describe so beautiful in your walk from sun to shade. I loved experiencing your walk with you
When I practice this, I especially love being aware of my alignment with my head lifted toward the sky as I feel my weight move from heel to toes and my heart relaxes and opens.
It is amazing, isn’t it. You can do a modified form of MM by being more vigilant about anything you do. I was in the shower and noticing the smell of the water, the feel of it on my skin, the temperature. And just now I’m noticing the feel of each key as I type this. It’s fun, And after reading your post, I felt my walk with you. I will pay attention to how my heart feels doing this! Thanks.
This is such a wonderful reminder Julianne. I had gotten out of the practice of mindful meditation. Taking this moment to start back again. I’m hearing the roaring of a motorcycle and the click of the gears changing. The bussel(spelling) of the freeway makes me feel as if I’m surrounded by a waterfall. (That’s what I have always done, so the noise is not unpleasant noise. A distant train sounds it’s horn as it pulls into the Ventura station to pick up-drop off people. Overhead, an airplane rumbles as it passes by.
Not as eloquant as your poem, but it’s a start. Thank you for this kind reminder to be mindful.
@4105c9a8e5cbd681e89b6d3cc7c91af1:disqus , I know what you mean about the freeway noise. I sometimes think I’m hearing the ocean and then I can accept the sounds as it floats up the hill. Nice to know others convert those sounds too. I found myself paying far more attention to what was going on around me and I ended up not being run by the thoughts in my head. Let’s remind each other to continue to do this.
I have some experience with walking meditation. I must admit the very first time I found it excruciating. I just wanted to walk fast and get on with – I guess I just was not willing to be “present” at that stage. Since then I’ve learned to love it – can be very powerful and calming, and I find a walking meditation before a sitting meditation seems to clear the path for the sitting to be easier.
I practice the Alexander Technique, where we use awareness and our thoughts constantly to bring us back to the here and now – not always easy… but very useful. Also, every day I use the Alexander Technique practice of Constructive Rest (lying down in a semi-supine position while consciously working with awareness, clearing the mind, and giving yourself instead intentional messages to promote ease) – a very practical way for me to be mindful in the present moment.
Thanks for your post, Julieanne – a great reminder of the importance of being present.
I need to try that. I was taught the position of lying the floor with your head on the book and relaxing into the floor allowing your shoulders to spread out. Doing it while being mindful I didn’t know. Funny, when I did this, I just wanted the time to be done and over with!. Now I have some incentive to enjoy it a different way. Thanks.
Well, I thought I was pretty good at being in the present, but 15 minutes for a 30 second walk might be a stretch for me…AND I don’t like to walk barefoot outside. (Julieanne, I don’t know how you ever survived in the left-brained world…)
Oh, boy, you really got me laughing! I had the right brain stuff pretty much shut off is how. But I allowed all my creative abilities to go into cooking and decorating the tables and making sure the dinner was pleasing to look at, that the colors went together well and the table was set beautifully. And I was so angry being what I thought everyone wanted of me! It seems a lifetime ago!
@184ac9f57ff3818c4e4902be1eb24c2a:disqus try it indoors. You don’t have to do it outside. I was on my deck. But I have stood on grass and it feels so cool on your feet. You might surprise yourself. As you take each step, observe everything around you, notice and ever so slowly take the next step.
Pat’s comment is so funny – love it! While I don’t spend a lot of time stretching out the present in this way…I do consistently spend some time 🙂 Mindfulness is a great practice with so many benefits including health, business and love…Thanks for the reminder! Brandy
Pat’s comment is funny. It cracked me up. I’ve been reminding myself where ever I am sitting or driving or walking to pay attention to other details. It is adding to my experience of things I’m doing that I would have consider a chore. Nice shift. Great benefits to be for sure as you said.
I had never really thought of walking as a way to meditate. And, while I don’t follow the pace you describe, walking is always my choice as a way to reconnect with the present. I could easily add in your suggestions about paying attention to all of the things around me – sounds, sensations, the feeling of the ground and air – to make this an even better and more mindful experience. Thanks!
You’re quite welcome. I decided to pay attention walking at my normal pace this morning at the farmer’s market. Interesting observations and more of a connective feeling, too! . Please let me know how this works out for you!
I am very happy to be living ion the present right now. I have experienced living in the past. I did it because I was miserable and it was a miserable time. Bring on, ‘right now’!
I too lived a lot in the past to justify why my life was so miserable and to blame it on my past. So glad to be done with that! So glad!
Sitting and just being is not something that happens any more. At least, not quiet meditation type. I do catch myself brushing off my daughter because”things need to get done” or we’re “in a hurry.” It’s at those times that I remind myself to slow down because she will only be this age one time. Yesterday I paused to watch her choreograph a dance. Today I relished watching her turn herself into a beautiful princess… something she wants to be when she grows up… a “real” princess.
That sounds like a great way to be present, present for your daughter and yourself as you watch her.
What a lovely idea. I’m still working on getting meditation back into my life. This will be a goal and one I will look forward to trying.
Susan Berland
A Picture’s Worth
http://susan-berland.com
It is an experience. I was definitely surprised by it. I did a faster version today at the farmer’s market but I became more aware of things. I also went out on the deck with my coffee this morning and just sat and really paid attention. It was quieting and restful.
Ummmm…nice exercise. I can feel it. Will do it soon.
You always have a way with connecting with someone thru your words. I immediately slowed down my rate of reading your post. Actually re-read a few paragraphs and just took deep breaths. It’s too late, and too cold to go outside and just be. But tomorrow I’m all over it.
What an incredible compliment! I’m touched and so grateful. You must share how your experience goes. If you feel so inspired, write a Haiku poem afterwards. That is what we were asked to do after our walk. And I didn’t think I could do it but it puts you into such a state and you are inundated with sensations. It just flows.
Being with small children really takes me into the present….I love their curiosity and enthusiasm. Thanks for the reminder Julieanne.
Yes, children are great for that as are pets! Watching either play or chase something is great! Thanks for commenting.
In the summer time, I find it relaxing to blow bubbles with my son. We sit out in the front of our house. Sometimes we both blow bubbles, sometimes he’s running around trying to catch them. It’s simple but it’s one of the few ways I can actually clear my mind, relax and focus on the present.