Mindfulness in Nature - slow works

Great how the changing seasons makes things stand out

Yesterday having spent too long staring at a computer screen reviewing research findings, took the opportunity to visit a local nature reserve late in the afternoon.

There were many visitors, walking briskly along the paths, swapping from one hide, one viewing space to another. If only they'd taken the time to pause. Why make an effort to visit somewhere, to do something, if you don't give it your full attention?

The people who overtook me on the path missed the vole that ran across my feet. The ones  visiting each hide for 5 minutes missed the marsh harrier that landed in the reeds while his more attractive and larger mate sat on a branch a short distance away, or the egrets flying overhead, the red deer sat in the trees and the shoveller sifting the water for food.

In order to be mindful we need to pay attention. To what is going on in our minds and bodies as well as what is happening around us. When we go outside, with the intention of appreciating the natural environment we are all part of, do we give ourselves the time to stop, to engage, to notice?

What about everyday life? Does the quest for faster download speeds, fibre optic broadband, wi-fi this and 4G that really mean we'll get more out of life? How about slowing down and noticing? Do gadgets really save time or just fill space with something else? 

Try just pausing, breathing, looking out of the window, spotting something you haven't noticed. Try living instead of distracting!

More 'Gift of Small Things'

colours changing

Seeking something to smile at or about, something we haven't noticed before, are all part of building our mindfulness in daily life practice. The idea that we constantly receive 'gifts of small things' is even more apparent when we engage with nature, the outdoors. Whether looking through the window, walking in a park or something more adventurous, the opportunities are there to grasped.

Without wanting to sound like Julie Andrews in the 'Sound of Music', the wave of my partner, shuffling my feet in the fallen leaves, the copper coloured fern stems, the yellows, greens and reds of the trees, the richness of the berries, the sparrow on the fence, the heron in the stream, these are a few of my favourite things - the gifts of today. By the way, they're all free, you simply have to look.

Mindfulness - Gift of small things

Spectacular colours in the Ambleside car park

Practising mindfulness means being open, and yes the unpleasant will be in our experience but so will the pleasant. Being aware as we engage with our daily life can mean we receive lots of small gifts, the colour of the falling leaves, the birdsong, or simply that there was less traffic today. Mindfulness in daily life leads us to appreciate the beauty around us, to notice the seemingly mundane, to engage with nature, after all we're part of it. While at times we may feel at the centre of our own web of life, we have the freedom to explore the strands, to notice all the connections, to be one with all around us.

Try looking for things that make you smile, whether it is the dog walker with a reluctant Bassett Hound, the children playing on the rope slide, the spinning of a falling leaf, there are lots of small things that are out there and they can contribute to our sense of well being if only we're awake to notice.

Food for Hearts!

Autumn Mist

Discussing mindfulness in our daily lives with a friend last night we thought about the impact of the onset of dark mornings, early nights, dampness and all the changes that Autumn brings. How it can seem gloomy working in a room that needs lights on during the day.

I was reminded that we need different food. Food for the intellect, which we get from  'lifelong learning', reading, conversation. Food for the body, healthy eating and physical exercise. But that we also need food for the heart, that which motivates, sustains our values, enables us to live with equanimity, strong enough to deal with the difficult and painful, open enough to appreciate beauty, kindness and our interconnectedness with all life.

Later with my partner, we talked about the space meditation gives us, not to solve problems or 'think' things through (though that is of course possible), but to give us the ability to 'quiet' the turmoil we constantly have in our minds.

I thought of both discussions while walking this morning. It started in rain, ended in bright sunshine. The autumnal colours, deep reds, rich oranges,  young swans still with adolescent plumage flying overhead, the sound of twigs snapping, the smell of wet leaves. Difficult to think of work, issues etc when using all our senses, engaging fully with the life around us. Also how important it is to have friends, family or colleagues that help us engage fully, feed our heart connection. In Africa a common greeting is 'What does your heart say today'?

What is your heart saying to you?

Mindfulness in the City

Stunning architecture in Prague, Czech Republic

Having enjoyed the countryside it was great to also experience the sights of a national capital. Prague is a city full of history, activities, sights, great food, (and beer) friendly people. The history covers a range from ancient tribes through medieval knights to modern times including the ignoble periods of the second world war, Stalin and the Soviet invasion (and re-invasion).

There are wide tree lined avenues, lots of people in the city with dogs (but no dog mess seen!), a wide river and hills (with castles). Looking at the architecture it is interesting to reflect on how mindful the citizens who walk past everyday are of what is around them. Also to reflect on the changing views of  what appears to be a deeply Christian country, with churches, artifacts such as statues in squares, on buildings and bridges.

Old and modern, statue on bridge with tourist balloon in background

What are people mindful of in the city, is it all rush, tourists, sales, gimmicks. How do we all maintain perspective when faced with neon signs, traffic, sound, large advertising screens and the contrast with the old and new? What do we do to maintain mindfulness of ourselves and others?

6 IATC Post Conference Thoughts

Dawn, Hruba Scala

Having enjoyed the stunning scenery of Hruba Scala for a week, I then travelled by train to Prague. Pleased to note the very low priced rail fares (less than £5 (€8) for a two hour trip) which can only encourage people to travel in an environmentally aware way, as evidenced by the number of cycle spaces on the train (12 per carriage compared to Virgin Rail's 2 per train!). The train filled rapidly with a good throughput of passengers at each station on route, yet at no point did the train seem overcrowded and there was lots of place for luggage near to hand, if only British rail planners could understand this. Good trains, on time, with low fares would keep cars off the road. While this would mean less fuel duty into the exchequer the benefits would be in less pollution, better health.