How deep does your practice go?

Sign on a tree in Grizedale Forest

Being mindful isn't simply about recognising that we are not our thoughts, that these simply come and go, some having more effect than others. It certainly isn't a simple meditation on the breath, learning to be in the present moment, nor is it about learning to respond rather than react, though of course it is all these things and more.

Effectively 'being' mindful rather than 'doing' a mindfulness practice means also recognising the consequences our actions (or inaction) will have, understanding our connectedness to everything (including each other) around us. 

So while mindfulness may help us be less stressed, more in touch with how our minds work, it may also mean we feel guilty when we recognise and understand that we have the ability to change, to influence and to empower ourselves and others but fail to do so.

Practicing mindfulness in and of our natural environments, the very environments we are part of means we will see the need to protect and preserve them. We may feel emotionally vulnerable when we see them being abused and damaged. So practicing mindfulness, being mindful of ourselves and all around us may mean we feel compelled to take more personal responsibility and this is simple to do. We can look at our own effect, practicing leave no trace or minimal impact. We can volunteer to help others learn about the value of our world or to help protect it, volunteering to clean beaches, build fences, count wildlife, whatever is needed to help. We can also contribute time and money to groups trying to do these things overcoming what one commentator described as "smugly sitting on a cushion while the world goes to hell".

Meditation with a great view

So go out, enjoy the world we are part of and think what you can do, no matter how insignificant it may feel, to help preserve the world we are part of, to protect it so that future generations can enjoy it too.