- Albert Tiong
We are always busy with doing something. If we have nothing to do, our mind will automatically find something to do, because not doing anything will be boring. We live our days trying to keep ourselves busy without any awareness of what is happening at the moment. When we are about to go to sleep at night, most of us do not even remember much about what happened during the day.
As humans naturally we keep ourselves busy. But sometimes it is also important to stop what we are doing, giving our mind the opportunity to fully experience the moment. Just like water in the river, that moment will never come back again.
Imagine you walk into the kitchen in the morning and see your mother cooking breakfast for you. Most people would either go and help her, or sit down and use your phone, or walk out of the kitchen and do something else. So what does experiencing the moment feel like? Try this: the next time when your mother is cooking in the kitchen again, don’t do anything. Either stand at the entrance, or sit on a chair. Simply observe with attention on what is happening within yourself, as well as in the kitchen.
Look from left to right. Notice the colors of the walls, plates, cups, fridge, the clothes your mother is wearing, look at what she is doing.
Take a few deep breaths. Ask yourself what do you smell? Something delicious?
Close your eyes and listen to the sound in the kitchen. Ask yourself what do you hear? Is the sound coming from the pot? Your mother’s voice?
If you are seated at the table, feel the texture of the table with your hands. Is it rough or smooth? Is it cold or warm?
Take this opportunity to think about what your mother is doing for you. She probably woke up earlier than you, risked her own safety to go to the market to buy something to cook for you and the family. Feel the gratitude in your mind. Many people are not as lucky as you.
Other thoughts may come to your mind. Don’t fight it, but just be aware of the thoughts and let it drift away.
As you can see, it does not take long, but by doing that, you have just lived fully present in that moment.
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