Daily Mindfulness & Miracles
“Just be. Just being in the moment in this place is the deepest practice of meditation.”
Hello my friends,
This week we learned that the Vietnamese monk and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh died. Thich Nhat Hanh’s key teaching is that, through mindfulness, we can learn to live happily in the present moment. Being in the present moment is the only way to cultivate peace both in one’s self and in the world.
Thich Nhat Hanh taught me about mindfulness and meditation through his many publications. His approach to meditation was eye-opening for me.
I have a few of Hanh’s books and I’ve borrowed many of them from the library. One of my favorites on my shelf is a little book called Mindful Movements: Ten Exercises for Well-Being. It has childlike illustrations and is a series of 10 easy movements that we tie to our breath. If you’ve been practicing yoga with me for a while, chances are good that we’ve done this sequence together. It's a simple but powerful practice. In the introduction to this book he says "If we bring mindfulness into every aspect of our life, we cannot help but experience life's miracles."
His teaching is accessible. We can all practice mindfulness just by doing what we do in our daily routine. We can be mindful as we walk outside, chop onions, or even drink our morning coffee. We don’t have to sit on a cushion and meditate or navel gaze for hours on end. No, mindfulness should be an integral part of our everyday lives. By actively working towards being more mindful, we can create a more peaceful environment around us. As more of us work together in this way, that's when we experience the miracles.
Such a powerful concept!
Join me on your mat as we practice being in the moment.
Love and love,
Nina G