Mindfulness

Thich Nhat Hanh defines mindfulness as follows: “Mindfulness is the capacity to be aware of what is going on, and what is there. The object of your mindfulness can be anything.” You’re always mindful of something. You can look at the sky, breathe in, and say: “Breathing in, I am aware of the blue sky.”

Other definitions will point to the intentionality of bringing awareness to what is arising, what is going on, just in this very moment. Moment by momement we bring our attention to what is here presently. To best do this teachers recommend harnessing our attention (mind) on our breath.

As I try to simply follow the sensations of the inhale or rather ‘be with’ the inhale and then maintain my awareness on my exhale i can begin mustering the majority of my attention back to my body. I can direct my awareness to myself here, now, in this moment.

With a certain attitude. This is also to be cultivated. The attitude of curiosity,

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I started teaching yoga and mindfulness to children. I felt how it ignited the silent intelligence that lived within them. I saw how it worked itself playfully out from their hearts and souls.