Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life

LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF NON-DOING

Those of us who like to skip steps can learn to rest in the present moment. Those of us who tend to take shortcuts to get where we’re going can rest easy, take a deep breath, and remember, in the well-known words of Ram Dass, to “be here now.” Those of us who get confused or impatient, who think a lot about future plans, can begin to recognize that

You can be with, watch, and take interest in the thing instead of immediately reacting to it. You also develop compassion for yourself and for others, realizing how hard it can be to maintain a measure of equanimity amidst the torrent of thoughts, feelings, and urges that occur during just fifteen minutes of formal meditation, let alone a decades-l

Take a few deep breaths, and with each exhale let go of any obvious tension in your mind and body. Now shift your attention fully away from any remaining stories or thoughts, and notice your actual present-moment experience. What sensations are you aware of in your body? Are there any strong emotions present? Do you feel anxious or restless as you