Mindfulness by Laurie Buchanan
The University of Life — Mindfulness Course Description
Mindfulness is simple, but it’s not easy. Mindfulness is the open-hearted energy of being aware in the present moment. It’s the daily cultivation—practice—of touching life deeply. To be mindful is to be present with, and sensitive to, the people we’re with and the things we’re doing, whether it’s raking leaves, tying our shoes, or preparing a meal.
John Kabat-Zinn said, “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.” He shared that above his desk sits reminder given to him by one of his friends:
Am I awake
And fully present
And living my life
Intentionally
It is my perspective that mindfulness is more than paying attention; it’s paying intention. Paying attention engages the mind. Paying intention additionally engages the will.
Here’s a link to the actual course syllabus at Brown University for their Mindfulness class.
Here’s a link to an article I wrote for Evolving Your Spirit magazine, “Don’t Miss the Gorillas” after attending a presentation given by Jon Kabat-Zinn (pg 10).
“Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.”
~ Laurie Buchanan
www.HolEssence.com
Copyright © 2010 Laurie Buchanan — All Rights Reserved.
Tuesdays with Laurie 
Good, I need to listen to words like this before I go and circulate with others today. So I will propose to live a day of mindful intention today, not only for my own benefit but for the benefit of all I have contact with today. Good will is not much unless it is passed on to be shared. Thanks, Laurie.
Sandi – I trust your day was wonderful! Ous was delightfully busy, followed by grocery shopping. Now I’m plum tuckered out. This is precisely why I front-load my day with Tai Chi instead of waiting until evening. I would find some excuse not to do it. I sure enjoyed your post this morning — I love my job! — over on your blog, Under Southern Skies. Thank you forstopping by — I appreciate it.
You are so right, Laurie. Mindfulness is such a key part of being present; I use it as a tool to help keep me present (when I remember to do it!) Being intentionally mindful adds that extra support to live my life the way I want, being the person I know I am. You would not believe some of the conversations that go on in my head when I am living in the future or the past . . . well, come to think of it, you just might . . .
Barbara – I thought our two blogs today, Mindfulness and The Presence of Distraction made nice bookends!
Your last comment here made me laugh. I’m good, Barbara — but not quite that good.
I agree, the both of them were excellent bookends!
Mindfulness is simple…but it’s not easy. You’ve captured it perfectly, Laurie. We can be so distracted by a zillion things. To be present to those zillion things as they rise and fall…one of my greatest intentions.
Kathy – I have found in my almost (not quite) 53 years that there are many things in life that are simple, but not easy. I think we’re the same age and you’ve found the same to be true. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dreams of Monks and a Glass of Burgndy on your blog, Simply Here. Thank you for stopping by today. I sure did enjoy your visit.
Thanks for these wonderful words.
I read them this morning and have been moving them around in my hard head all day, kind of like that Cranial Therapy you perform.
I agree with Barbara, some the conversations that go on in my head are really challenging. Some actually leave me frozen, not in the present, past, or the future. At these times I try to be in a safe place that I can somewhat control. Unfortunately more times than naught, that is sleeping
I read a great article today from a brochure from Time to Spa.com.
Letting Go of the past may feel a little sad or uncomfortable, but its the best way for me to regain my power and strength.
Kim – I’m glad you found these words helpful today. I think we’ve talked about the fact that the Amygdala in the brain sends a signal to the Adrenal glands when it’s time to Fight, Flight or Freeze. Did you know that it takes MORE adrenalin to go into freeze-mode than into fight or flight? I know it sounds odd, but it’s true. I learned that from Belleruth Naparstek when I was taking Guided Imagery training fro her for reversing panic attacks.
“Letting Go of the past may feel a little sad or uncomfortable, but its the best way for me to regain my power and strength.” Those are healing words, Kim.
Mindfullness, time and present time especially is truly a wonder to be a part of. Being present is easy when you know you only have a short time to enjoy something. I have little kittens, almost 3 weeks old now and I know I can’t keep them all. I also know I only have a short time to enjoy them. Each day is a pleasure watching them grow and change and learn. I missed four days while I was gone and while I was gone they learned how to crawl out of thier box!!!
In reality, we all only have a short period of time to share ourselves with family, friends, and the world. It’s good to be present and live in the moment.
~Jean
Jean – You’re absolutely right. In the big scheme of things we’re only here for the whisper of a moment. Your perspective is excellent: “It’s good to be present and live in the moment.”
I had a GREAT mindful day today! Helped work a booth at MCC Gardenfest, networked and got new ideas for my business, enjoyed window shopping at Kimbel and Bean, transplanted perennials, soaked in the hot tub, roasted GIGANTIC marshmallows, and picked daffodils from my hosts yard to bring into their house. They had thousands – but weren’t really mindful of them until they arrived inside!!! To sniff and touch and look at. Now I must nurse the cold I have. Now that’s something I definitely “mind”…….Too bad the hot tub wasn’t a tub full of chicken soup!
Beth – Knowing you, you were in Heaven helping at the Gardenfest booth! I’m glad you had a great time.
Laurie your article really struck the part of me that passionately will focus in on my work or play while I miss out on other things jumping up and down right in front of me. Some times BIG Gorillas! Things like choosing a matching pair of shoes, noticing where the table or chair is so that I don’t try to go through it instead of around it. These wake up moments don’t happen often but the out of mindfulness does… like “where did the day go?”
I was once told that the very moment we notice that we are not present – we are present. I share this for others like me that can get swept away on their imagination — leaving the present world and their bodies to fend for themselves. Noticing when we are not being mindful is part of a mindful practice… and it is a good way to notice that you have not put shoes of the same pair on your feet:)
Terrill – You pointed to something extremely important when ou said, “Noticing when we are not being mindful is part of a mindful practice.” That is oh-so-important! Thank you.