Amidst the chaos of the holiday season, the stress of exam week and the nearing of all kinds of annual deadlines, I am going to suggest you try something that may seem improbable. Meditate. Focus on the tedium at hand and be present in all that the task demands. Last night I watched a segment on 60 minutes that I found very timely as a reminder to mindfulness. We have all found that "zone" where we can work without distraction and intently focus on what the job before us is. Some may find it much easier to find this zone in a sport or a favorite subject area or when in love. But try it this week. On the eve of pretty much everything - tests, parties, gift buying and keeping up appearances, I invite you to focus on your breath and quiet the mind. Sometimes an internal OM can help to block out all of the chatter. Like the monks and toddlers do, (or my teenage son for that matter), when you hum, you prevent all other external stimuli from entering your mind. As a practitioner of yoga for over a decade, I see mindfulness as self discipline. One becomes alert and capable of using best judgement.
The reason I suggest dipping into the pool of meditation at this time goes along with my recent posts about reflection and learning as well as my desire to help Govs students perform their optimal for exams and beyond. I think of students as buddhas, infinitely capable and divine creatures. Pure vessels of miracle.
Give yourself a little time and space to listen to your breath and feel alive. Sometimes this is the hardest part.
Here are some great reads we have in the library if you would like to learn more about mindfulness and meditation.
The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh - 294.344 NHA
Master-Mind by Maria Konnikova - 153.4 KON
Zen and the brain : toward an understanding of meditation and consciousness
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