With an in-breath we can smile to the tension, and with an out-breath we can release the tension and calm the body.įirmly established in our body, we may begin to become aware of how we are feeling. We may find tension or restlessness in our body. Once we’ve established a comfortable position, we gently begin to follow our breathing, and extend our awareness to our whole body.
If our legs or feet fall asleep or begin to hurt while sitting, we gently adjust our position while following our breathing. We allow the muscles in our face to relax, release any tension around the jaw and mouth, and gently relax our shoulders. We can adjust our posture so the back upright yet relaxed, our two knees touching the ground, and our hands placed gently in our lap. You could be seated on a cushion or on a chair cross-legged in the lotus or half-lotus, or kneeling. It’s important to find a comfortable position, so our body can relax completely. We allow ourself to be completely at ease. We don’t need to struggle or strive as we sit. My destination is the here and now, the only time and place where true life is possible. I’ve been running all my life, and I’ve arrived nowhere. “I have arrived, I am home” means: I don’t want to run anymore. Every step can be nourishing and every step can be healing. Aware of our five senses, we know we have arrived in the present moment. We can open our ears to the sounds around us, and lift up our eyes to enjoy the trees, or the horizon, or the people around us. We can relax any tension in our shoulders or arms, and feel what a miracle it is to be walking on Earth. It will depend on your lungs and the natural rhythm of your steps.Īs we continue walking, synchronising our breathing and our steps, we become aware of our whole body walking. We may take two or three steps as we breathe in, and then three or four steps as we breathe out. And we begin harmonise our steps with our breathing.
We become aware of the contact between our feet and the ground. There’s an art to finding creative ways to generate the energy of mindfulness, peace, and happiness in everyday life.Īnd when we practice mindfulness together with others in community, as we do in Plum Village, we generate a powerful collective energy that can help bring healing and transformation to ourselves and the world. It’s very pleasant and relaxing, and we don’t need extra time to do it. We can be mindful while standing, walking or lying down while speaking, listening, working, playing and cooking. The energy of mindfulness helps us touch life deeply throughout the day, whether we’re brushing our teeth, washing the dishes, walking to work, eating a meal, or driving the car. We become aware of our breathing and come home to our body, fully present for ourselves and whatever we are doing. Mindfulness is a kind of energy that we generate when we bring our mind back to our body and get in touch with what is going on in the present moment, within us and around us.