Mindfulness - Learning to Be Still

In this age of technology we have virtually countless ways to distract ourselves. We have our radios, CD players, iPods, email, talk radio, TV, DVDs, video games, cell phone, text messaging...not to mention our low-tech distractions such as books, crossword puzzles, and so on. Now, these things all of their respective places. I'm well aware of the irony that I'm using the Internet to blog! However, I think we have a hard time of learning to be still...or just learning to Be...because of the prevalence of these distractions. Our brains are so used to being inundated with stimuli that I think our brains try to fill the void when our distractions are silenced. Then we experience the "chatter" of our thoughts, and our consciousness is not really present at these times. The unconscious thinking that goes on is like our blood flowing...it is happening to us rather than a function of our conscious presence.

Learning to Be present...connected to the world around us...is critical to our well-being. Not only is this supported by teachings from many religious and meditative practices, empirical research clearly shows that learning to become more mindful has numerous emotional and physical health benefits. So, periodically take some time out from distractions and try to focus on the moment. Turn your conscious awareness to your breath, the way your body feels, or the sights and sounds to the world around you. These things only happen in the present moment. For example, there are no past or future breaths...the breathing that you are doing is happening right now. Entering into the present moment will give you relief from the current of thoughts that happen to you. It's tremendously liberating because the "now" is always available to you, wherever you go. No batteries or WiFi necessary.