The cacophony of modernity is driving most of us to the verge of insanity. The demands of life have grown into a blur of tasks, notifications, and commitments. Stuck in a constant cycle of feeding into the hustle and the hustle feeding off of you, living a peaceful life has become a distant memory for boomers and a much-longed-for ideal for Gen X’ers, millennials and Gen Z’ers. Becoming nostalgic for a calm living that we never knew about is the new trend. The desire to reach out for a conscious and mindful living style and being held back by the hecticness leaves you at a crossroad. One that makes you re-evaluate the way in which you live.
Mindful living, a practice that has its roots in Buddhism, is an act that lays the foundation for an individual to be entirely present, interact with their surroundings and be acutely aware of their thoughts and emotions. Even though mindful living is often considered as a spiritual practise, it is now being studied in science for its capability to reduce stress and enhance one’s quality of life
The importance of ‘The Now’
If we were asked to sit and think of the last time we were able to string two coherent thoughts together without losing our attention span, we would fail miserably. Not because we aren’t thinkers, but because we are distracted by other thoughts that are circulating in the vicinity.
Frequently, our thoughts are inundated by future concerns or past regrets making our attention digress. This in return can gatekeep us from truly enjoying the present experiences. In our fast-paced society, with its demands and materialism, this struggle disrupts life’s balance, causing stress and health problems. To live mindfully, start by living in the present and reflecting on yourself. Choose a quiet, comfy spot to sit, free from disturbances. This place should help you relax and suit your mind’s needs.
Concentrate on your breath, taking note of the inhalations and exhalations as well as the rhythm of your chest rising and falling. It is advised to let any thoughts that emerge, to enter and exit your mind without passing judgement. This straightforward practice of observation serves to ground you in the present moment and trains your mind to be more attentive.
Moreover, integrating reflective thinking into your daily routine can offer valuable insights into your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Journaling, for example, provides an outlet to express your inner reflections and think about your encounters. Set aside a few minutes each day to jot down your musings, aspirations, and moments of gratitude. This practice holds the potential to be a potent instrument for uncovering aspects of yourself and fostering personal development.
While concentrating on your breathing is a go to solution for someone seeking to be living consciously, body-scan meditation is another lesser known but equally effective practice. Allocate a brief period to systematically scan your body, moving from your head down to your toes. Take heed of any feelings or points of tightness without over analysing them. Slowly let go of any detected tension, enabling yourself to unwind and grow more connected to the current instant. Eventually you will become aware of a profound calmness, a state of bliss. Yes, this is easier said than done. Getting into the rhythm of it may demand you to persevere beyond your capacity, but don’t forget that the main reason you are trying to get into mindful living is so that you can overcome the feeling of restlessness. So being patient with yourself is a good way to start, during daily activities such as eating as well.
Which carries us to the practice of mindful eating. Engaging in mindful eating involves fully engaging your physical and emotional senses to embrace and relish the foods you select. Most of us are accustomed to the habit of shoving food in our mouths, unaware of what it is even that we are eating. It has come to a point where you swallow down either a bowl of cereal or a plate of fruits without actually sitting down. This is because the busy lifestyle that humans lead doesn’t give them the luxury of sitting and savouring food, one bite at a time.
Eating consciously enhances your appreciation for food and elevates the quality of your eating moments. Mindful eating guides you to opt for foods that offer both satisfaction and nourishment to your body. Yet, it advises against critiquing your eating habits, recognising that various eating experiences exist. As we develop a heightened awareness of how we eat, we may initiate positive adjustments in our behaviour leading to personal well-being and contributing to a healthier environment.
Out with dissatisfaction, in with gratitude and appreciation
Practising mindfulness lays the foundation for embracing gratitude and recognising the value in what we have. By taking moments to truly relish small pleasures-like a comforting cup of coffee or a breathtaking sunrise- we nurture a profound appreciation for the richness in our lives. This shift in perspective brings forth joy and contentment in the present instant.
To nurture gratitude, we can establish a daily routine of acknowledging and expressing thankfulness. By directing our focus toward the positive aspects of our existence, we train our minds to actively seek and cherish the positivity that envelops us.
Does this mean we have to go out of our way and dedicate time and space to live consciously?
The answer lies in how you want to pursue the philosophy of mindful living. If making a schedule, reserving time for it and prepping for it appear like a task, then the entire point of mindful living is negated. The minute it becomes a chore, it will be just another addition on your to-do-list with no special meaning attached to it.
What we need to realise is that rather than struggling to prioritise channelling our efforts into practising mindfulness, the real deal lies in mustering energy and determination to engage in various activities with mindfulness. Everything that you do, even something as basic as washing a dish, do it with awareness. Spending bulks of time on mindful meditation but carrying none of them forward into your normal way of living makes such practices null and void.
Choosing to stay fully attentive and in the moment, devoid of judgement or restlessness, proves to be an attractive mental approach for managing the challenges and irritations that life presents. And that is as good a place to start as any.
(Sandunlekha Ekanayake)