WHEN SHOULD WE PRACTICE?The standard definition of mindfulness is that it is paying attention in a deliberate and disciplined way. It is presented as the opposite of what is referred to as squirrel mind or monkey mind, where attention is apparently random, undirected and impulsive. This is a fine image and captures the chaos we often experience in our mind’s activity.
We should, however, be careful that we don’t promote the practices of mindfulness as something outside of ordinary life. We humans are not only capable of attention but we pay attention to an unending collection of objects, thoughts, emotions and assorted experiences all through our daily lives. Just because we are not seated or engaged in some formal practice environment does not mean we are not being mindful.
Mindful living means bringing that purposeful, intention-driven condition of body and mind to whatever we are doing. Formal practice, such as we do at RMML, is not the exclusive location of mindfulness. The only reason we should bother with a formal practice is to further deepen and cultivate our capacities. Its common to see meditators associated with mountain-top monks or people in a monastic retreat environment. It is true that these situations promote a more formal practice, very few of us will expect to operate in such settings. We live where we are and it is here that we must be mindful.
Yours , on purpose,
Ray
The purpose of life is a life of purpose
Robert Byrne
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