Article #790

I just recently came across this great quote by Lao Tzu that helps explain the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) practices created by researcher and author Jon Kabat-Zinn Ph.D. at the Stress R…

I just recently came across this great quote by Lao Tzu that helps explain the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) practices created by researcher and author Jon Kabat-Zinn Ph.D. at the Stress Reduction Clinic at University of Massachusetts Medical Center.

“If you are depressed, you are living in the past.

If you are anxious, you are living in the future.

If you are at peace, you are living in the present.”

~Lao Tzu

What a perfect quote to help us savor and be “at peace” on the last few days of summer. Since the end of August, I’m sure there are many people out there like myself who are surprised that the end of the summer is coming fast upon us!

I want to share with you the #1 tip to help time slow down a bit so we can appreciate it and feel more in control of it.

But first let me share with you the biggest “ah ha” that I got from the MBSR program that I completed. In the 8 week program, I learned that mindfulness meditations don’t really require a quite mind at all if anything. What is required is an accepting and allowing mind that helps one go back to the moment and to notice what is being experienced— without judgment. This practice expects the mind will wander and the only thing that one has to do is to call back the mind every time he or she notices that it has wandered. It’s a practice that has had over 400 studies that has proven its effectiveness in stress reduction, chronic pain, and illnesses.

I must confess that it took me many years to feel confident and comfortable about meditating because the whole thing looked so boring and intimidating to me. I was convinced I could never be one of those serene looking women who looked so peaceful and calm in the magazines.

What a wonderful surprise for me when I began to practice the mindfulness meditations. I found that even though my mind wandered I was still able to go back to the moment and able to bring my attention back to the practice. This practice has helped me feel more relaxed, focused, and happy.

Now I want to share with you an easy mindfulness tip that will help you savor the last few days of summer. It’s the #1 tip as I call it will help you create more memories before the cooler weather rolls in.

It’s called “beginner’s mind.”

According to Jon Kabat-Zinn’s book, Full Catastrophe Living, Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness, “To see the richness of the present moment, we need to cultivate what has been called ‘beginner’s mind,’ a mind that is willing to see everything as if for the first time.”

Are you ready to be in awe of everything and make time slow down a tad so you can appreciate it more?

Use these simple “beginner’s mind” techniques:

1. Stop- Stop multitasking. Put the cell phone away to prevent distractions.

2. Look- Look at who is in front of you. Look at where you are in that moment.

3. Listen- Listen to the sounds around you. Close your eyes and tune in even more.

“Wonderment” is the equivalent to the “beginner’s mind.” Wonderment is seeing the world through the eyes of a child with awe and appreciation.

Next time you go outside and do your usual summer activity with your family or friends, I invite you to do it with “beginner’s eyes” or with “wonderment.” You’ll be surprised at just how much you will notice and remember from that activity. This is one of the best ways to savor the last remaining days of this sunny season.

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