“Mindfulness” is a word that gets tossed around a lot these days. But what does it really mean? Is it just another fad or buzzword?
Actually, mindfulness is an ancient practice with proven benefits for mental and physical health. But there’s no need to spend hours meditating or joining a monastery. Just a few minutes of mindfulness every day can make a big difference.
by David Stone
Here are some of my favorite mindfulness quotes:
“The present moment is the only moment available to us, and it is the door to all moments.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
The great Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh provided us with a golden nugget of wisdom when he said that the present moment is the only one available to us and that it is the door to all moments.
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He knew that we yearn for what has passed and worry about what will come, but really, there is no need.
That door has always been open to us, we just haven’t had the clarity of mind to recognize it.
In moments like these, we can recall this sage advice and be reminded that all the riches of life are at our fingertips if we can learn to just be in this moment right now.
“Wherever you go, there you are.” – J Thomas a Kempis
The great philosopher Jon Kabat-Zinn has given us an important reminder of this 14th Century insight in his book, Wherever You Go, There You Are. No matter where life takes us, we always bring ourselves with us.
Escaping our reality is a fruitless endeavor. The best thing we can do is recognize our current situation, take stock of what we need, and move forward in a direction that will help us become the best version of ourselves.
Yet while it’s important to stick to our plans, it doesn’t hurt to occasionally indulge in a spontaneous detour once in a while.
“Mindfulness is about being fully awake in our lives. It is not an escape from our problems.” – Pema Chodron
As the wise Pema Chodron teaches us, we can’t just run away from our issues or pretend they don’t exist; mindfulness encourages us to face the situation head-on with open eyes and an open heart.
Mindfulness is far from using a stiff upper lip and plugging away until things are better – it’s about bringing compassion and understanding to ourselves as we navigate the tricky waters of life.
In other words, mindfulness is about living rather than trying desperately not to die. So perhaps instead of escaping into a less difficult reality, it’s time for us to take in the struggles that come our way with kindness and self-awareness.
“Be where you are; otherwise you will miss your life.” – Unknown
This timeless quote is so true, yet many of us spend our days on auto-pilot, going through the motions without really paying attention to our surroundings or the moment in which we currently exist.
We think about what’s for dinner or what happened yesterday or worry about tomorrow, instead of simply being where we are right now – tossing life’s opportunities and joys out the window.
How often do we actually appreciate those small moments, like hearing a bird chirp while taking a morning walk?
Take the time to be present with what you are doing, no matter how mundane it is, and be pleasantly surprised by how much of life you’ve been missing.
“The greatest gift we can give ourselves is a little bit of time each day just to be still and silent and alone with our thoughts and feelings.” -Unknown
Taking time to be still and be alone with ourselves is like getting the best gift we could ever ask for – in the form of mental rest, clarity, and inner peace.
No longer needing to listen and react to the events and external noises around us creates an opportunity to explore and respond more authentically to our inner compass.
Spending some time alone with our thoughts and feelings, we take a more honest look at our lives; this helps us gain insight into ourselves, identify obstacles that may have been clouding our judgment, or simply come up with creative ideas on how we can improve on a personal level.
So why not give it a try? You don’t need anything special to make this happen other than an open mind and willingness, two things you can find without digging too deep.
The present moment is the only moment available to us, and it is the door to all moments.
Mindfulness allows us to be fully awake in our lives and appreciate every second we have been given. It is not an escape from our problems, but rather a way of facing them head-on with grace. The greatest gift we can give ourselves is a little bit of time each day just to be still and silent and alone with our thoughts and feelings.
Why not take some time for yourself today? You deserve it.
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