Hi everyone,
I noticed this thread and thought "Oh, good one!" Obviously it's a long thread, and I apologise, I've not read all of the comments (yet), but gee there's some good here. I apologise too if what I say now has been said already.
Mindfulness became a bit of a 'buzz' word a couple of years ago and a bit of a craze developed around it leading to colouring books for adults, apps and all sorts. And there are some good ones. For me though, the basis is about become more deeply aware and conscious of 'what is,' those uncontrollable, outside of my influence realities and experiencings of the day-to-day that I can become more attuned to noticing rather than unconsciously ignoring or pushing aside. That might sound simple, and therefore unjust, because it isn't simple, it's hard work. But like anything requiring effort or significant practice, it requires discipline. There are days or even instances where it works well for and others where, try as I might, I fail to reach that zone or sweet spot. But it doesn't mean that I cease trying.
Sometimes for me, it is sitting in my garden observing a snail or caterpillar, or watching something else through the lens of my camera, or the symmetry of a dragonfly's wings, the movement of clouds, the noticing of a sensation within my body, a scent I can smell or a prayer-like recognition of the everyday as I wash the dishes or make the bed. And sometimes it is poetry or building Lego. I bring my focus and attention, my noticing to my currency, my experiencing without having to buy in to whatever it is. I might notice the tension in my stomach or shoulders whilst at the same time not buying into the story of why I am experiencing the sensation. There might be a story, and it might tell me something, perhaps even the truth, in full or part, but if I'm buying in I've ceased noticing and made judgements which now impact my decision making or mood, etc. It seems silly in some ways to call it mindfulness, I see it more of a matter of mind emptying rather than filling, an act of intentionally letting go....
Just my two bob's worth. T.
