“Heart and Soul”
Mindfulness, simply put, is awareness. It is the practice, or perhaps in our anxious world these days, the art, of focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, acknowledging and accepting feelings and thoughts and what our bodies are telling us. It is a ‘taking stock’ of the current situation and where we find ourselves within it.
Our routines have all changed and that can be deeply unsettling. Even if we are not experiencing any symptoms related to COVID 19, we may be even more aware of our body’s aches and pains, and the impact preexisting conditions with which we live is having on our health and wellness. This is true also of our mental state.
It might seem strange to suggest that the first step is to ‘slow down’ but that is the first step. Gently stretch your body, as you are able, letting it ‘soften’. Breathe. Take ten deep even breaths. Ground yourself in the present moment. Then focus your awareness on something calming, inspiring or beautiful in your surroundings. When practicing Christian meditation, this is often a cross, a candle(not left unattended), a photo, a piece of art… Pray, or simply let the truth that others are thinking of you and lifting you up, enfold you.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, (and the Ministry of Public Health, my addition!) and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:7-9