When we speak of mindfulness, it is important to keep in mind that we equally mean heartfulness.
Full Catastrphe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn
Each of us can learn the art of nourishing happiness and love.
How To Love by Thich Nhat Hanh
What do we need most right now? For one thing, a little more heartfulness.
I’ve just completed two day-long retreats in the last ten days: one silent and one energetic healing. In both, the intention was mindful attention to heartspace and love. I reminded myself that it starts in my heart first. In Buddhist metta or maitri practices, for ourselves and others, are found the qualities of friendliness, benevolence, and good will, as well as loving-kindness and letting the light of peace into our bodies; the path of heartfulness.
Befriending ourselves starts with treating ourselves as we would a beloved. We can use the MBSR tool STOP particularly when cranky and frumpy. Three mindful breaths can change the nervous system, another powerful tool. Intentionally gift ourselves moments of being not doing embracing quiet, stillness, and focus.
My retreat experiences helped me strengthen my heart-space and heart-brain muscles. Much of the world feels organically devoid of heartfulness right now. I know it’s there. We just need to remind ourselves, then practice, and pass it on. I notice as my practice deepens, my reactivity is much less. I’m more parasympathetic nervous system than not; less stress, more smiles, more hugs, better boundaries, more lovingkindness.
As we come into the heart of summer, August is a benevolently beneficial time to remember sacred idleness, just allowing ourselves to be. Give yourself a daily gift by randomly placing your hand literally on your miraculous heart asking it what it needs at that moment. Listen well for what wisdom it provides.
Here are four simply abundant August mindfulness tools. Use the same one or mix them up. Practice heartful, soulful, kindness to you. Close your eyes or not.
*Take three conscious breaths upon waking and think gratitude. Feel the pleasure of mindful
stillness as you begin your day. Linger.
*Take a few minutes every day to be and stop doing. Look at the sky. Listen to music. And yes,
the old cliché, smell a flower. It changes the brain.
*Practice meditating a minimum of five minutes a day. Use a timer with a bell sound. Choose
one anchor each time: breath, sound, sensations, thoughts, a favorite fruit, the moon,
your favorite beach or happy place. Be creative.
*Sit near a body of water, on a beach, at a lake, and just contemplate.
Blessings for self-compassion and lovingkindness each day one at a time.