When we want to achieve mastery at something, we practice. We practice the piano, a sport, a skill, or a language. Practice, practice, practice. What if we were to practice everything? This sentiment is at the core of mindfulness and the cultivation of conscious living.
There is a wonderful scene in the movie version of Dan Millman's "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior" where the main character, Dan, is standing in the shower and becomes completely absorbed in the water that is flowing over his hands and falling to the floor. This is the Hollywood version of what mindfulness might look like and, frankly, it's a rather effective representation.
Mindfulness is about paying attention to everything that is going on around us -- because there is never nothing going on. As I type this, my hard drive is whirring, my refrigerator compressor is running, the wind chimes outside my front door are moving gently in the breeze - the wind chimes outside my back door are not -- one of my dogs is snoring, the bamboo floor is warm under my bare feet, there is a cold breeze drifting across my legs from the drafty fireplace flue, my tea is a bit cold in my mouth, my neighbor is crunching around in the fallen leaves while collecting himself for work...and on and on.
Practicing everything means putting forth the same attention to detail and execution in every single thing that we do - from shaving, to eating, to driving, to washing the dishes, to making love - that we would if we were attempting to master a thing and then, in reality, actually mastering it.
When is the last time you didn't do something out of reflex, habit or routine? When is the last time you did something and were utterly present in the moment? Few of us can boast that kind of intention, and even fewer can boast that kind of attention. When we take the time to be mindful, it can be an amazing, life altering experience.
So, take today and practice something, rather than just moving through -- even if that "something" is one thing for one moment. Take a moment to feel the tension of the clutch under your foot while you're driving. Listen to the sound of the razor as it passes over your face or your leg. Notice how your lovers' hair falls gently into the hollow of her throat. Try and feel every hair under your hand as you pet the dog. Listen to the water as it falls into the sink. Feel yourself walk. Listen to your own voice.
It's all quite extraordinary, and there's never nothing going on.
© 2009 Michael J. Formica, All Rights Reserved
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