“The only way to live is by accepting each minute as an unrepeatable miracle.” — Tara Brach
How we do anything is just as important as what we’re doing. Mindfulness enables us to bring the quality of presence into anything and everything we do, and has the capacity to deeply enrich our lives. The aforementioned words of psychologist, author and meditation teacher Tara Brach are so pertinent when it comes to mindfulness, because choosing consciously to appreciate the magic of this very moment is the cornerstone of being present. And when we do this, everyday moments in life turn into experiences worth treasuring.
When we contemplate the ordinary becoming extraordinary, it’s not about doing anything more. Rather, it’s about removing the distractions that block us from experiencing the beauty of the present moment, just as it is. Being present isn’t about becoming more, doing more, achieving more. Instead, it’s about drawing your attention to what’s happening right here, right now, without needing to change, fix or control the moment. And when we connect with this place of presence within us — our inner sanctuary — we are reminded that everything is okay, just as it is.
When we slow down and take the time to be mindful, we can appreciate the more subtle qualities of an experience that might get overlooked in the busyness of everyday life. It could be as simple as taking three deep, conscious breaths, and noticing how they feel in your body; giving your full attention to a loved one as they tell you about their day; the sensation of your feet connecting with the earth as you walk; or cooking a nourishing meal without any distractions — just you and the food.
One of my dear yoga teachers, Ryan Mannix, suggests that “what we train, we strengthen”. If we heed this wise yogi’s advice in the context of mindfulness, then the more that we practise being mindful, the more mindful we become.
The exercises within Being’s Mindfulness Workbook are designed to help you practise living with more presence in everyday moments. Over time, you might find that ordinary experiences turn into something rather extraordinary.
