When we hear the word mindful,
We may imagine that someone is sitting on a rock by an ocean,
Perhaps hearing waves,
And that that is the only way that we can be mindful.
Mindfulness is so much more than that.
There are so many ways that we can be mindful in our walking,
In our eating,
Our movements,
Our daily tasks.
Much of mindfulness is really being in the present moment,
In your present experiences.
Sometimes that's not fun.
By practicing mindfulness,
We are working towards being mindful versus having our minds full.
During our meditation practice today,
Please notice whether you're being mindful of the breath and the experience that you're having in the moment,
Or if your mind is full of all of the things,
All of the tasks,
All of the thoughts.
Please notice this without judgment.
Mindfulness takes practice.
It is a practice.
There is no wrong or right way to do it.
Whenever you're ready,
Come to a comfortable position.
Perhaps you have your legs up the wall as you lay on the ground.
Perhaps you're laying in Shavasana on your back.
Maybe you're sitting in a chair or on the ground or on a pillow.
And maybe you're on your bed.
Whenever you're ready,
You can keep your eyes open or close them.
Just begin to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.
If for some reason breathing in or out through your nose or mouth is uncomfortable,
Please use whichever is most comfortable.
That'll be in through your nose and out through your mouth.
Continue to focus on the breath.
You can count your inhales.
You can count your inhales and exhales.
When you reach 10,
Begin back at one.
Whenever your thoughts begin to wander,
Return to counting the breath.
Imagine being at home.
On your next breath in and out,
Let go of your focus on the breath.
Allow your mind to go where it needs to go.
As you bring your breath back to a normal breathing pattern,
Notice where your mind went.
While it was focused on the breath,
Were you aware of your breath and mindful?
Or was your mind full?
And as you transitioned to letting go of that focus,
Was your mind full?
Or did you continue being mindful?
Whenever you're ready,
You can bring some awareness back into your body,
Moving your fingers and your toes.
You can open your eyes if they were closed and move into a comfortable position.
