Mindful Living

Mindful Living, is a pretty close friend to Barefoot Living. They both say it right there in the name, living with mindful intentions, for ourselves and our planet. The Dali Lama often speaks about mindfulness and an open heart. And how one can not heal or grow without these things.

As we take our steps through life, how can we be sure to live our lives with an open heart and open mind? So many wonderful ways! In our everyday lives how often to we rush around, not really paying attention to our actions, just going through the motions? I see this oh so often, and also can get caught up in it myself. Now of course we can achieve a great deal of mindfulness with daily meditation, but it is just as important to be mindful when doing everyday things like eating, driving, cooking, shopping, and walking.

Making everyday chores and activities a mindful meditation is a wonderful way to learn & grow. You will be surprised how much more you get out of doing the dishes, walking, or eating a sandwich. The easiest way to implement mindful living is to simply take a nice deep breath before any activity, and focus yourself on that task, and only that task, and put all other things aside in your mind. This practice can be tough for some at first, but just like most things in life, they key is practice, and you will be living mindfully in no time!

Food is a great way to begin your mindful practice. Try to eat 1 meal a day in silence, this can be done anywhere, with anyone, or alone. Turn off your cell phone, tv, computer, any electronic device that you might have near during meal time. If you are cooking yourself, your practice can start when you take out your ingredients. Take a nice deep breath and begin by giving thanks. Thanks to the farmer (or yourself if you are a backyard gardener like me) for your fresh produce, thanks to the earth for providing the magic for the bounty of foods she provides, thanks to yourself for taking the time to prepare a tasty, healthful meal for your body and soul, and any other direction of thanks that feels right for you. As you move on to cutting, chopping, sauteing, or baking, keep that gratefulness with you, in your mind and heart...and continue to hold onto that as you prepare your meal. Your mind and hearts are powerful tools, and with them you add the unseen ingredients into your food while you cook. And if it is a meal you have not had the joy of preparing yourself, you can still inject love into the dish, with a nice deep breath and your open mind & heart of good intentions.

After you have filled your meal with love and good intentions, its onto filling your body with its nutritious bounty. With all things, focus yourself with a good deep breath from the diaphragm, and set your intentions. When I begin this practice, more often than not it sounds like a gratitude prayer. I sit with my dish and ask that my body assimilates all of the nutrients that are provided on my plate, give thanks again that I am able to sit and eat this delicious meal, and begin the sensory experience that is eating. Paying close attention to all of your senses will help you stay in the moment with your food, and if you feel your mind wandering off, bring it back with your senses. How does the food feel in your mouth? Is is soft, crunchy? Is it sweet, sour or salty? How does it make you feel? Does it bring up any emotions? Sensations? Close your eyes if it is difficult for you to focus on only the food. After implementing this practice in your daily life, you will find it easier to be in the moment when you are doing all sorts of different things. It is amazing what we can learn about ourselves, our environment, and others around us, simply by opening up and living with mindfulness.

Happy cooking, eating & mindful living to you all!