My Experience With Mindfulness & My Morning Mindful Routine

What does it mean to be mindful? What is the contemplative? How do you achieve mindfulness?

These are the questions I pondered on my way to the first session of my contemplative arts class. The class was located in the fine arts building, one of the oldest buildings on campus. The building smelt of stale crackers and silence haunted the halls. Not many people were in the building considering it was 6pm. I navigated my way through the building pretty easily, except for the stairs. I had to take an isolated stairway in order to reach my destination. I struggles up the steep steps but eventually I made it to room 213.

A green- haired women stood by the chalk board and greeted the students that entered. She flashed a huge smile. I immediately thought I would like this teacher. I was right. Her name was Dr. Goler. She wore a green streak in her hair and her attire was always comfortable yet thrifty. She would become one of my favorite instructors on the account of her friendly demeanor and organized teaching style.

The class was mainly meditation based. We opened and closed each class by practicing a different form of mediation. These forms included: walking, Metta, Shamatha, and Vipassana mediations. We also discussed the variety of ways one can be contemplative and thus mindful. Contemplative avenues and vehicles of mindfulness heavily discussed during our sessions included: dance, song, poetry, and other arts. We also read books about contemplativeness and living mindfully.

Upon the completion of this experience I was rewarded with a better understanding of mindfulness. I found that to be mindful means being aware and accepting. It means being completely focused on the task at hand. A person is mindful when they truly experience the experience. I learned you can achieve mindfulness by implementing contemplative practices in your daily life. Here are a few things I practice in the morning while striving towards mindfulness.

• Give thanks

First thing in the morning I thank God for my life and the opportunity to experience another day. I give thanks for my mental, physical, and spiritual health. I give thanks for my family and friends and the love that surrounds me.

• Make my bed

The next thing I do is make my bed. You might be wondering how is making my bed mindful. Well I believe discipline starts with the little things. To me meditation requires discipline, which is the discipline to acknowledge but not engage with my distracting thoughts. Therefore this little act of discipline, making my bed, prepares me for the mental discipline meditation requires.

• Meditation

I practice mainly sitting mediations in the mornings. Mediations that focus on breath, a positive word, or mantra are my favorites. The positivity feeds my optimism for the future. I find the stillness of mediation prepares me for the busy day ahead.

• Morning Pages

After this I write my morning pages. I write at least three pages of my thoughts in the morning to clear my mind. Sometime I find resolution to my problems while writing morning pages, other times I just reassure myself of my goals. I discovered the cathartic usefulness of morning pages from the book The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.

• Cook Breakfast

Lastly, I prepare and eat my morning meal mindfully. I embrace the experience of eating and I engage all my senses while eating. I savor all the flavors. I notice the color and texture of my food. I take in the pleasing aromas. I enjoy my meal.

These are five things I do in the morning to center myself and get my day off to a good start.