It’s Week Nine and the perfect time to begin practicing mindfulness regularly. Students are arriving in their classrooms momentarily and while there’s probably plenty of excitement associated with a new year there may also be some apprehension and stress afoot.
What exactly does the term “mindfulness” mean? Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD from Western Massachusetts who has led the movement to spread the value of mindfulness throughout Western society for the past several decades, defines “mindfulness” as present-focused attention that is non judgemental. 
Though this definition may sound simple and readily achievable, keeping one’s thoughts and focus in the present moment without judgement about oneself or others requires rigorous regular practice throughout one’s lifetime. The speed of thoughts from our brains to our neural endings is incredibly fast, much faster than a road runner, at 170 miles per hour. Keeping our thoughts in the present for 15-20 minutes every day is quite the feat. However, if we integrate daily mindfulness practices into our lives, our minds, much like a well cared-for garden, will grow and create abundance and beauty.
To remain in the present means that every time one notices their thoughts have moved into the past or the future, to name that and let go of it. Remaining present focused requires repeated formal and informal methods of practice. Formal practices focus on integrating meditation and some yoga into one’s daily routine for 20-30 minutes. To do so, you will want to find a space in which you can truly focus on the present in a quiet uninterrupted area. Perhaps you will want to make use of a specific meditation app on your phone to assist you in doing so.
As well, you may choose to engage in an informal practice. For example, taking 20-30 minutes to walk outdoors in silence while listening for sounds, feeling the earth and the weather around your face, feet and body and taking a keen interest to really study something you spot up close is informal practice. Or maybe your informal practice takes place when you are washing a vehicle or doing the dishes while focusing only on the water temperature and the soap and the sounds.
In July, I had the privilege of participating in the course Kabat-Zinn designed entitled Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction in an idyllic location in southern New York with 150 individuals from around the world. The course was intense, especially the requirement that we be in the classroom every day by 6:30 a.m. for an hour of silent meditation. Throughout each day we were asked to participate in many formal and informal mindfulness practices, including a day of silence where we also could not make eye contact with others or converse during meals. All of these expectations were designed to help us become more attuned to the present and to appreciate everything that was noticed.
Regular mindfulness practices are guaranteed to build resilience and significantly reduce the perception of our stressors. Explore it and share your photos with our team. As Jon Kabat Zinn says, “Give yourself permission to allow this moment to be exactly as it is, and allow yourself to be exactly as you are.”
See you on the PATH Ahead,
Shevonne, Gillian, Amy and Ashley