That means recognizing and inhabiting your own intrinsic wholeness and beauty i
That means recognizing and inhabiting your own intrinsic wholeness and beauty in the only moment any of us ever has—namely this one.”
The word mindfulness is the nearest approximation of the sanskrit word “sati,” which simply means to “remember to observe.” In other words, it is the practice of coming back to the bare bones of reality as revealed by our senses.
I start all sessions, both on and offline, with a moment of silence, breathing together, noticing our thoughts, bodies and emotions and allowing ourselves to fully arrive in our learning environment. It is a way of making the transition from our busy lives into a more reflective state of mind where we are ready to explore our inner reality and learn together. Just as we prepare the workshop room to feel lovely and welcoming, a mindful moment invites us to settle our bodies and minds.
Throughout the world mosque calls, church bells and gongs remind people to worship. The chimes I use to start sessions call us to drop into a place of depth and integrity where we are engaging in the important work of self-discovery. Most often, the mindful moment only lasts for one or two minutes, but there is often a palpable shift in the energy of the room as people slow down and become fully present.
A mindful moment is the method that I have found most useful for creating a moment of calm and readiness to learn and listen, but you might have other practices that are more in alignment with your culture or community.
Purpose
Beginning a workshop or learning event with a mindful moment allows participants to calm their nervous systems and make a conscious transition that prepares them for transformative learning experiences. It also exposes them to strategies they can use in their daily lives to settle their minds and be fully present to the everchanging texture of their life.
Learning Objectives
Participants will
- Define the term “mindfulness.”
- Experience the art of paying attention to information that comes through their senses.
- Discuss what it means to pay attention, “non-judgementally.”
Activity Directions
Set-Up: Chairs in a circle or horseshoe.
Here are some different variations on starting a workshop session with mindful awareness.
Example One: Following the Breath
The most basic form of mindfulness involves just sitting and being with our experience and noticing as thoughts, feelings and sensations arise and dissolve.
Directions:
- Ask the participants how they would define the word “mindfulness.” After a few people give their impression, say that it is a word used in many contexts, but the one we are going to focus on is most simply defined by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn: “Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, nonjudgmentally.”
- Ask what the group thinks he means when he says that we are paying attention “nonjudgementally.”
- After the term is discussed, invite the participants to experiment with an attitude of observing and welcoming whateve