[et_pb_section fullwidth=”off” specialty=”on”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ specialty_columns=”3″][et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Post Header” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left”]

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[db_post_meta][db_feature_image][/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Post Content” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left”]Posted on June 17, 2015 by Susan Young Life Coaching

Jon Kabat Zinn, creator and founder of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) [http://www.umassmed.edu/cfm/], author of 11 books. in Full Catastrophe Living (1996) says:

“Mindfulness is awareness that arises by paying attention on purpose to the present moment nonjudgmentally”

When I read this incredibly cool and thoughtful statement, I feel a tingly kind of alertness wash over me. I feel more connected. Because I get it. I can’t always do it, but I get it.

That ripply, heightened alertness running through me is awareness. Or presence. Or consciousness. Scholars and philosophers debate and reflect about it: where is it, what is it called, why is it? I love this debate, but when I’m in it, I’m away from the present moment. An odd paradox.

Because what I really, deeply, fully yearn for is presence.

When I breathe consciously into this moment of being alive on this round, damaged tiny blue planet, in this swiftly unfolding universe filled with dark matter and black holes, I’m astonished. When I really absorb that I’m alive, and aware that I’m alive. at this moment, the singular sweet anguishing miracle of it takes my breath away. This delicate bridge between death and life. Breath.

What is one sweet, tender breath of life?

Eckhart Tolle says that one conscious breath a day can powerfully transform you. More than all the workshops in the world. And it’s free.

Just one breath a day. Really?

But, alas, then suddenly there I am, wandering the hollow halls of the mind, like a small child picking up pretty shiny objects, not aware, not present. So swiftly, like a star spiralling into a black hole, I forget to breathe and be mindful.

Instead, I chase after bitter and tender memories; I sigh at the tempting tanginess of regrets; or I lounge with the desperate illusions and lusciousness of the possibilities of future dreams.

When I’m wandering those oh so familiar halls, I don’t want to notice that I’m wandering, and I usually don’t want to come back. But I do. Sometimes.

Right now, invite a juicy memory to arise…like when I failed to be there for my son when he was a teenager. I have a jagged pus filled cut right there. Ow. It calls to me, a darkly tempting siren. Failure as a mother.

But no matter how much pull a thought or feeling has, presence is bigger. I can sometimes remember to surround that jaggedness with awareness, enfold it, hold it. Just be present to it. With that, I can choose a new degree of freedom. I’ve made progress. Not as much wallowing any more.

I don’t have to go to the Himalayas or India (although I did and loved/hated it) and sit in a cave and study with a guru. These things can help you or me to stay in mindful awareness and in this moment. But we don’t need them. That’s an illusion.

Mindfulness is right here, right now. With just this breath. On purpose. Non judgmentally. Join me, when you can, when you’re willing.[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Post Footer” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left”][db_post_ad][db_comments_form][/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column_inner][/et_pb_row_inner][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_sidebar admin_label=”Sidebar” orientation=”right” area=”sidebar-1″ background_layout=”light” module_id=”sidebar” /][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_section]