Mindful Monday: Reconnect to the Present

This post is Part 2 of a 10 part series that is an extension of this post I wrote on the subject of the importance of introducing some regular Digital Detox time in our lives. In that post I listed 10 Good Reasons to introduce regular Digital Detox time into our lives. Each week for 10 weeks I will expand a little on each of those 10 reasons listed. Last week I wrote in more detail about ‘De-Clutter Your Mind’. This week I am looking at:

RECONNECT TO THE PRESENT

Why is living in the present so important?   Because the present is real, the past is gone and the future is not here yet! If we get caught up in the past or future we miss what is happening now and we never get the opportunity again.

If you’re a regular to my blog, you’ll know that I love a good quote. This one is no exception:

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly. – Buddha

There are many things that can distract us from fully experiencing the here and now and living in the present. In addition to our predisposition to dwell in the past and worry about the future, there is the distraction of the internet and social media, our busy lives and our monkey minds!

When we are having some Digital Detox time, it is a very good opportunity to take some time to reconnect to the present. Some of us might have a regular practice in place and if not maybe now is the time? So, how do we do this? There are two key ways:

1. MINDFULNESS: Make mindfulness practice a part of your life. I have written many posts on Mindfulness. If you click HERE these are all my Mindful Monday posts where you will learn a lot about Mindfulness, the 9 Attitudes of Mindfulness, and some basic mindfulness meditations.

  What is Mindfulness? There are many definitions, here are a few:

Mindfulness is about waking up, connecting with ourselves, and appreciating the fullness of each moment of life. Kabat-Zinn calls it, “The art of conscious living.”  It is a profound way to enhance psychological and emotional resilience, and increase life satisfaction.

“Bringing one’s complete attention to the present experience on a moment-to-moment basis.”  (Marlatt & Kristeller)

“Paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally” (Kabat-Zinn).  

“Consciously bringing awareness to your here-and-now experience, with openness, interest and receptiveness.” (The Happiness Trap)

2. GRATITUDE: If you take the time each day to look out for something you are grateful for it has a hugely positive effect on your life as well as bringing you well and truly into the present by the simple fact that you are observing all around you in order to find your ‘grateful’. Some people keep a gratitude journal. I actually did a 365 Grateful Project where I took a photograph every day for 365 days of something I was grateful for. It had a profound affect on my life. You find that it is the simplest of things that give the most joy to us in this life.

When you have a little bit of free time – 1 hour, 30 minutes and 50 seconds to be exact – I urge you to come back with a cup of coffee or tea and watch the video below.  Eckhart Tolle (author of The Power of Now – his first book) stops by Google for a fireside chat with Bradley Horowitz.  The subject is: “Living with Meaning, Purpose and Wisdom in the Digital Age”.  This is truly inspirational and amazing viewing!  It’s totally worth it to take some time to watch and enjoy!

Ciao for now,

A couple of Postscripts:

1. This may be my last post before we leave for Tasmania on Friday (will see how the week goes!).  Until then, I will be busy cleaning, cooking, washing and packing.  I like to leave things all in order and feel mega organised when I go on holiday.  Let’s hope all is in order when I return! 😉  Keep watch on my Instagram for photos and updates from me.  Depending on wifi accessibility, I may also post to my Facebook page now and then!   Apart from the occasional posting to Instagram and/or Facebook, I will be enjoying a wonderful 13 day Digital Detox!  If you do visit my Instagram and/or FB page – please do say hi!  I’ll be back on the blog in the week beginning 11 May!
2. The photograph used for today’s post is of ‘Buddha’s pond’ and was taken in April 2014 at Crystal Castle in the Byron Bay hinterland at Mullumbimby.

[ This post is linked up with One Mother Hen for #openslather ]