Mindful Living

Mindfulness is the energy of being aware and awake to the present moment. It is the continuous practice of touching life deeply in every moment of daily life.  Practicing mindfulness does not require that we go anywhere different.  We can practice mindfulness in our room or on our way from one place to another.  We can do very much the same things we always do--walking, sitting, working, eating, talking--except we do them with an wareness of what we are doing. 

Awareness of the breath is the essence of mindfulness.  This sounds easy, and everyone can do it, but it takes some training.  The practice of stopping is crucial.  How do we stop?  We stop by means of our in-breath, our out-breath, and our step.  That is why our basic practice is mindful breathing and mindful walking.  If you master these practices, then you can practice mindful eating, mindful drinking, mindful cooking, mindful working, and so on, and you are always in the here and now, alive and fully present.

Mindfulness is the source of happiness and joy.  If we want to fully enjoy life's gifts, we must practice mindfulness at every turn, whether we're brushing our teeth, cooking our breakfast, or driving to work.  Every step and every breath can be an opportunity for joy and happiness.  

Enjoy your practice with a relaxed and gentle attitude, with an open mind and a receptive heart.  With mindfulness, we can preserve an inner joy, so that we can better handle the challenges in our lives.  We can create a foundation of freedom, peace, and love within ourselves.