| When you lose touch with inner stillness, you lose touch with yourself. When you lose touch with yourself, you lose yourself in the world. Your innermost sense of self, of who you are, is inseparable from stillness. This is the I AM that is deeper than name and form. You are the knowing, not the condition that is known. – Eckhart TolleWe can deepen our connection to our innermost self by practicing daily meditation AND by bringing mindful attention to activities in everyday life. Mindfulness in daily life means we intentionally, direct full attention to what we are doing, without judgment. This “one pointed attention” I shared in the blog article last week, that eliminated my allergy to doing the dishes, has also resulted in gaining greater joy from simple daily routines. As the momma of two adorable dogs who love the outdoors, and require daily exercise, offers me the opportunity to walk them with mindful attention, rather than talking on the phone or listening to music. This has become a daily ritual that brings immediate joy- by uttering a simple question, “Want to go for a walk?” or the jumping for joy begins as soon as they see me put on my sneakers. The excitement and joy they express reminds me of what is available to me when I walk with mindful attention. Our pets can be helpful teachers and for me I have discovered how much beauty, peace, and joy that is available when I am present, fully present, on those daily walks. No pets? No worries! Take yourself for a mindful walk and open to nature, your neighborhood, your street, or yard. Slow it down and notice what you see, hear, feel, and smell. If you walk the same path each day, bring along beginners mind to help you see with fresh eyes. Be the puppy dog, or child who leaves the house without all the mental baggage and experiences joy every time they venture outside. Leave all your stirrings behind and simply walk. Download the Walking Meditation Guide below and use as a journal prompt (print or download it) to take along on a walk or enjoy some post walk time to journal what you noticed and experienced.Make time to step outside fro walkObserve the objects: shapes, sizes, colorsOpen all your senes to sell, listen, touch and seeNotice how you feel in your body as you sense and savor on your walk.If you live local, come join us Friday May 21 at the Swinton Community Garden for a sense and savor walk through an edible garden in East Delray. Want to learn more about nourishing your mind and body in nature? Check out our 8 week eco-mindfulness course and sign up now with the early bird registration. With Love and Gratitude, Patty and The Sacred Treehouse Faculty Need support in overcoming obstacles? Just email me us at [email protected] to set up individualized mindfulness coaching or join our upcoming class of Eco-Mindfulness and we nourish ourself in nature. Look for upcoming MBSR and MSC classes this fall and come practice in a supportive community. Go to www.sacredtreehouse.org |
Patty Thomas Shutt, founder of Sacred Treehouse, is a licensed psychologist and co-owner of Therapeutic Oasis of the Palm Beaches. Dr. Shutt is passionate about helping others discover the benefits of mindfulness and meditation. She offers Beginner Meditation & Advanced Meditation classes at Sacred Treehouse, in addition to Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Mindful Self-Compassion and various book studies throughout the year.