“Mindfulness practice is simple and completely feasible. Just by sitting and doing nothing, we are doing a tremendous amount.”

By Sakyong Mipham Rinpochehttp: www.shambhalasun.com/index.php

Relaxed and calm…relaxed and calm… stabilise your mind and start to embark on a journey of peace and harmony through practising mindfulness; developing and strengthening your mind, and in time your mind will naturally feel content and empowered.

Your mind being in a mindful state will create a favourable environment where there is still room for intelligence.

Environment:

The environment is important in practice of mindfulness and when obtained is easier to accomplish.  The space you choose to meditate within can be a place you already feel special, without noise or disturbance, where you mind cannot be distracted by unhelpful emotions as if you are disturbed, then your journey will be less fulfilling.

Instead of dropping down and letting your mind wander be mindful that you are working on your mind and teaching it a new way of being.  Infact you may find it very helpful to keep telling yourself that initially as a tool to get you going.

Body position:

The Budist belief is that the mind and body are connected and that energy flows better when the body is erect, and that when it is bent the body the direction of the flow of energy and directly affects our thought process, therefore our posture actually impacts our mind.

If you prefer to use a chair for any reason, sit upright with your feet firmly on the ground.  Or you may pefer to use a cuisine (sometimes called a zafu or gomden) – find a comfortable position with your legs crossed and hands resting palm-down on your thighs. Keep your hips central, neither too tilter forward or back, as this can create tension which may cause you to slouch – you should feel stability and strength.

Once in your position start to become aware of your body and get a sense of it.  Feel your body…where it is…any sensations…different parts…changes with time…etc.  It may take some time to achieve a comfortable posture and thats fine and can be part of the process.

Keeping upright and erect will empower you to feel grounded and whole.  Keep your shoulders and hips balanced to support your spine.  Try and visualise your spine under its fleshy canopy.  If you start to feel sleepy check out , correct your posture and focus.

Eyes:

You can close your eyes but if you wish to keep them open it will be helpful to gaze downward, focusing on a spot a few inches in front of your nose.  Your eyes will be open but not strained; your gaze is soft.  Gaze softly closing out your peripheral vision – it is not important.  You are purposely blanking out what is happening around you.

Breathing:
Breathe in through your nose and out through your mind and notice with time how your breathing changes.  Breathing is important as with every breath you become more relaxed….deeply relaxed.

Thoughts:

Work at blocking out any thoughts no matter how important they may feel.  You are focusing on your mind and body and the connection – nothing else – which will become easier with every session.

Every mindfulness session is part of your journey to self discovery; to understand the basic truth of who you are.

Practising mindfulness is simple and completely natural. You will be working with your mind’s experience of life directly, and just by sitting and doing nothing, you will be doing so much.  Enjoy!

If you have any questions about the above please do not hesitate to contact me – I would be delighted to speak with you.