I started a six-week mindfulness course this week and it was great! I'd heard amazing things about mindfulness, from people whose opinion I trust, and I was keen to give it a go. For months now, I've been feeling the need to pause and be less hectic or busy or rushed. I used to be quite good at it; pottering was a favourite of mine and I excelled at it. But one day it was all gone and I need my pottering mojo back!
The first class was nothing short of amazing! I'm typically quite skeptical of these things, even when I choose to place myself in the situation, have not found meditation interesting before (or doable, for that matter!), and am not a fan of yoga, so… the teacher was in for a joy ride with me. Except that I just loved it! Nothing like an open mind, albeit a skeptical one, and an excellent teacher to make things work.
For the whole time I was there I managed to focus on being there. You'd be surprised to know how much of an achievement this is! My mind wandered but it went back promptly, again an again, and all of it is ok., or so we were told. The homework this week? Less positive, but I'm accepting that as part of the process. I'm learning and right now the two main things are 1. remember to do the homework (yep, I know!) and 2. focus throughout the exercise.
Almost a week in and brushing my teeth wasn't this interesting since I was about 5! I know all about how I brush my teeth, things I already knew but had never taken the time to appreciate, and things I had never considered. I always, always, always, brush my teeth in the same way, even after noticing how I'm doing it. But more important than my sudden knowledge on my teeth brushing technique and habits, is the fact I have been able to focus on just that – brushing my teeth – for the whole time I'm doing it. Twice a day, those precious minutes provide me a quietness I hadn't felt in a long time and that is priceless. If only the other tasks were going so well!
This coming week is promising to be hectic. Productive and hectic. And yet I'll have those two hours to relax and pause and marvel at the power of stillness, all whilst I learn to do that by myself. How absolutely amazing is that?
I bet you can imagine how critical and skeptical I was when I took one of the first courses they taught in Belgium, about 5 years ago now. Yet, after all those years, what I learnt still affects my life in more ways than I ever could have believed.
So what do they teach you on these courses – Joey and Cococita?
I relate fully, cococita, on all accounts!
Loving it!!
The thing I’m coming away with most is to make the time. It sounds easier said than done, or so it does to me.
Life is rushed and taking the time to pause, initially in coached exercise and after on your own, does give you back time, in a weird way. The peace and clear mind you get from that makes you more productive and lets you enjoy everything more.
It’s proving a great – and useful – experience to me!