My first mindfulness experience
I would like to share a story with you which, to me, perfectly explains mindfulness.
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Since coming to Japan, I have become friends with a monk from one of the temples in Kyoto. Matsuyama-san always makes some time to speak with me. I love talking to him about life matters. One day I was feeling really upset and angry and I without realizing it, was projecting my anger at him. I said to him, “It’s ok for you to be calm all the time. You can mediate all day long, you have a beautiful temple to meditate in, but many people like myself are too busy. We have to go to work, we have families and we have all types of stresses that you don’t experience.” He always pauses after I speak. He took his time before speaking. There was a long, uncomfortable silence, which I found disconcerting and frustrating. |
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On this one particular day, during a period of silence in our conversation, I became totally in tune with the nature around me. I could see the veins in the leaves of the trees, every single grain of sand on the ground; it was an incredible feeling. Then I noticed a small bird flutter by and land on a branch just above us. In that instant this tiny, little bird did a pee. I was so excited and exclaimed “Matsuyama-san, did you see that!? That little bird just did a pee, I have never seen a bird do a pee before.” He quietly turned to me and said, “Sal-san, see what happens when your mind slows down to the same speed of nature? You become aware of everything around you.” |
From there he went on to explain that you do not have to spend many hours meditating every day to practice mindfulness. You can practice mindfulness every day in your job, in your relationship, with your food and the things that you do.
In recent years, mindfulness has become quite popular as people become more aware of the benefits for mental and physical health.
Mindfulness can be described as deliberately paying full attention to what is happening around you and within you; in your body, heart and mind. Mindfulness is awareness without criticism or judgment.
Best wishes,
Diffuse this nurturing, grounding blend to enjoy the benefits of mindfulness practice in your life. Honour the present moment with the uplifting and mind-focusing scents of lemon, lavender and Australian sandalwood.
