Dear friends,
In this talk I would like to offer some advice as to how you can incorporate mindfulness practice in your daily life.
Sometimes we have the idea that mindfulness time is yet another extra item to be added to the already long list of items on a to-do list.
To a certain extent,
But only a very limited extent,
That is true.
In order to develop the habit,
It is helpful to set aside some time every day,
Preferably,
I would say,
First thing in the morning,
When you will formally take up position in a regular place and devote,
Say,
Ten minutes to simply being still and becoming aware of your unique existence in this amazing world.
This quiet time will help focus your attention and calm your mind before you enter the rough and tumble of the day.
You may,
If you wish,
Sit for longer,
But more important than a longer sit is a regular sit.
If you decide you want to learn to play the piano,
Any teacher will tell you that ten minutes of practice daily will produce better results than a couple of hours of practice once a week.
But you might say,
I'm very busy,
How can I fit in that extra ten minutes?
Well,
Even though you are very busy,
You will spend time every day washing yourself,
Cleaning your teeth,
Getting dressed.
You would never think it right to go about the business of the day without carrying out those preliminaries.
To admit them would leave us feeling that our bodies would be unpleasant to be around,
And so they would.
The ten minutes that we devote to becoming present,
Mindful,
Grateful and composed is simply devoting the appropriate care to our minds at the start of the day.
Until the habit develops,
It is possible that we might miss a day or two,
Or even more,
Especially if we are on holidays or out of our normal routine.
If that happens,
Don't be discouraged,
Because you will have seen how a mindful start has benefited your day.
So just resolve to begin again and once more receive the benefit of a morning begun with mindfulness.
As for the physical setting of the practice,
Do not let lack of space cause you concern.
You may be lucky to have a quiet room which you can dedicate to reflection,
Relaxation,
Prayer or mindfulness.
In these times,
Not many of us are so lucky.
But any of us can set aside a corner,
A chair,
A space where we can do our morning practice.
Take a seat,
Sit on a cushion,
Whatever suits.
You might have there an image of the Buddha or Jesus or some other inspiring figure.
You might have a simple flower or a plant,
An incense holder.
Whatever helps you establish your mindfulness corner.
Just remember to go there every day and begin your day with ten minutes of peaceful reflection.
I hope these short reflections will have demonstrated that a short amount of time directing your focus in the morning will be of benefit out of all proportion.
As we become more familiar with this morning routine,
We will find it easier to come back to presence as we go through the ordinary work of the day.
So we will find ourselves mindfully answering the phone,
Mindfully addressing and really noticing the people we meet.
Mindfully driving,
Mindfully walking,
Mindfully eating.
In other words,
Living a life of mindfulness,
Which is the goal of this short morning regular practice.
May you be blessed with peace and happiness as you try to bring these benefits into your everyday life.
Namaste.
Thank you.
