Mindfulness is a practice and a way of being. Mindfulness is the practice of being present for what is – in your body, your emotions, the emotions of others, your surroundings, for life. Benefits to the practice of mindfulness include increased peace and greater happiness. When someone asked the historical Buddha, How can I be more peaceful?, he responded, “When breathing a short breath, know that you are breathing a short breath. When breathing a long breath, know that you are breathing a long breath. Simple, yes. Easy, not always so easy.
Here are seven ways to engage with the practice of mindfulness that integrate our usual ideas of practices and benefits – The practices themselves are also benefits. These practices are based on what Thich Nhat Hanh calls The Miracles of Mindfulness.
One: Bring your presence and attention to what is right in front of you – the clouds in the sky, the food on your plate, the eyes of a child. Soften and quiet the noise and distractions of your busy life. Or, right in the midst of our busy lives, notice what is right in front of us.
Two: Bring your presence to the people around you. Give them your full attention. Be curious, open; let go of the ideas of who you think they are.
Three: Nourish the people in your life, at home, at work, wherever you are. Bring love, concern, and an open heart to others. One of Thich Nhat Hanh’s suggestions is to ask the people you love, “Who are you?” And, really let them answer. I also appreciate Thich Nhat Hanh’s suggested question: “Please tell me, how can I love you better?”
Four: Cultivate the intention to help others find happiness; not the happiness of material things but the happiness of presence, of acceptance, of compassion.
Five: Look deeply into your strengths and places that need development, your patterns and habits, and your life that is beyond patterns and habits.
Six: Cultivate understanding. The more we can understand, the more creative and happy we can be. Understanding seems to dissolve our holding, tension, and narrowness.
Seven: Work to transform pain, difficulty, and anxiety – yours and others. This begins with a firm belief and confidence that transformation is possible.
These practices are themselves benefits. And, these practices are a way to cultivate peace and happiness.