The following quote is a powerful reminder that we don’t need to be in a particular head space to turn our minds toward mindfulness. “Wherever you are, that is the entry point.” -Kabir, 15th century Indian poet
A dear friend of mine gave me the book “A Year of Living Mindfully, 52 Quotes & Weekly Mindfulness Practices by Richard Fields, Ph.D., Editor, Co-author. The quote by Kabir was chosen by Elisha Goldstein, PH.D, one of the contributors to the book. Goldstein says, “Even feelings of doubt, agitation, restlessness and boredom are the entry points to the present moment. What if we changed the way we saw these uncomfortable feelings that drive us away from our intentions? What if instead of trying to to get away from them we saw them as parts of ourselves that are anchors to the present moment?” Feelings are feelings, they are not good or bad. Being aware of our feelings and accepting them facilitates being in the now. One of the phrases I use to bring me back to the present moment is right here, right now. When I get distracted, lose my focus and drift off into space, these words catapult me back to this moment in time. The mindfulness practice associated with Kabir’s quote asks the question, “What can you do to remember that no matter what is happening in your life at any given moment, that it can be used in the practice of mindfulness?” Practicing mindfulness is not easy for me. Like any new skill, it takes practice in order to become a regular habit. So I am practicing with an open heart and open mind to have a mindful attitude one day at a time.
What about you? Do you have a daily mindfulness practice? If not, how can you develop one? How can you become more present in the moment?
I invite you to learn more about mindfulness and being present in the moment. Join me at my February 21st retreat, Listening Beneath the Noise, The Transformative Power of Silence at the Carondelet Center in St Paul. Details are on my website.
http://nancyjambor.com/events/