The greatest satisfaction in my work is in helping people bring mindfulness to the center of their lifestyle and innovation to the center of their work. These are what I call absolute commitments; meaning if everything were to fail in your life or at work, the practice of present awareness and action learning would remain as honorable habits. They are the foundational forces that shape mental health, discipline and long-term growth.
Mindfulness reminds us that there is an intrinsic value to life and that any plan for future success must emerge from this basic understanding. In other words, if you were to live your entire life without any plans or strategies, you could still die peacefully because life itself is innately precious like the air you breathe. It is a perspective that clarifies life’s priorities.
Now with that said, any plan that does happen to arise must expand one’s sense of happiness and maturity, otherwise it is not the best plan. Many people think anxiously in terms of maximizing monetary gains or social recognition. While financial success may be a worthy pursuit, it does not die with you. Your passion and talent die with you yet somehow they transcend time.
Think about the last time you were completely absorbed in an activity that you enjoyed. I can “lose” myself when writing, running, listening to a great song, or just having a conversation. This psychological immersion is called flow, where we are not bored or overly challenged and our judgment of time relaxes. Mindfulness is about consciously claiming and sustaining your flow without depending on external conditions.
OK, so how would I do it and what difference will it make?
Mindfulness is anchored in the practice of conscious breathing. The main purpose is to bring consciousness to the physical body. Take a moment right now to take a deep breath and touch your entire body with your awareness.
You might recognize that the body has all kinds of sensations running through it. These sensations are expressions of the body’s intelligence. Contrary to popular belief, intelligence is not confined to the brain. The whole body is a mass of conscious energy made up of an intricate web of materials and which has the internal capacity for healing and evolution.
Along with living a more conscious lifestyle with better ideas and relationships, mindfulness enables a better handle on stress. The breath restores balance to the nervous system by drawing the attention to a neutral place, requiring no effort or thought. By quieting the mind and feeling the body’s aliveness, naturally you being to feel more alive and joyful. Pay attention to your eating habits, driving habits, and speaking and listening habits. Introduce conscious breathing to these activities and see how it can enhance your quality of life with greater focus and ease.