Oxford defines mindfulness as "a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations."
For me, mindfulness is a state in which I am peaceful, content and intent on staying present. It is a state of acceptance of what is, who I am, how I am, and where I am. It is a knowing that everything in my world is exactly as it needs to be for my highest unfoldment, fullest analysis, and deepest enjoyment.
It seems I am unable to maintain this state of mind for long periods of time. Eventually, I return to feeling scattered, stressed, or even frazzled. But I always have a choice to let go of those unbalanced and uncentered states by becoming mindful. In my experience, I first have to let go of everything around me and within me. I do this as I take 3 cleansing breaths and then blink. I have been doing this since elementary school - no one taught it to me - it just seemed to come naturally! So after using this method for 40+ years I can be still, let go, and emerge present relatively quickly which means I can do it in while walking around my classroom monitoring student work or while driving around my twin 13-year-old daughters or even in a stadium full of people in the midst of an exciting basketball game. I don't have to be alone, at home, or in a meditative position. I can achieve a mindful state almost anywhere and at any time with the 3 cleaning breaths and the blink.
I would love to know how you define mindfulness and how you uphold, maintain, and sustain this state of mind. And, as always, thank you for reading my daily thoughts on spiritual ideas.
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