Mindfulness

One Thing

Mindfulness is when the Mind is full of just one predominant thing happening, without distraction. 

It helps to be aware holistically of the background "noise" in which we are also embedded, so think of it like a filter that sharpens the attention but not occluding completely the rest.

We can engineer Mindfulness by transforming any mechanistic routine into deliberate, but not mindless, ritual.

Ritual in mindfulness indicates a certain devotion, to ensure that we cultivate a sense of complete attention, to the moment.

This is best covered in all of JK's talks, where he makes us totally & completely aware of the insanity of the Mind as a Machine, which is 

• constantly projecting into the future, 

• conditioned by thoughts of the past, and 

• nearly unaware of the present.

In Yogic terms, when our Prāna is fully engaged in the activity of our attention, we are imbuing it with our life energy, thus making it Conscious. Happy to be thus recognized as a Conscious Being, the activity reciprocates with a sensitivity tuned to our condition.

In Daily Activities

• eating - chew and drink it down, don't swallow - aware that Annam is/becoming conscious.

• talking - wait a second or so before responding - aware of the impact of words.

• writing - journal for self - aware that this could grow to help others too. 

• working - devotion to work while working - aware of impact on us and the world around.

• walking - keep feet, posture aligned - aware of thoughts and be with nature 

• running - breathe slowly, through nose if possible, or at least the in-breath

• sleeping -  challenging to be aware in sleep, so start waking up in dream state and work backwards.

• loving - enjoy relationships - aware of the attachment and its long-term consequences

• bathing - water is a purifying force, and source of all life