Practicing Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the energy of being aware and awake to the present moment. It is the continuous practice of touching life deeply in every moment of daily life. To be mindful is to be truly alive and present with those around you and with what you are doing. We bring our body and mind into harmony while we wash the dishes, drive the car or take our morning cup of tea. In practicing together as a Sangha, as a community, our practice of mindfulness becomes more joyful, relaxed, and steady. We are bells of mindfulness for each other, supporting and reminding each other along the path of practice. With the support of the community, we can practice to cultivate peace and joy, within and around us, as a gift for all of those whom we love and care for. We can cultivate our solidity and freedom - solid in our deepest aspiration and freedom from our fears, misunderstandings and our suffering. The practices of sitting meditation, walking meditation, and dharma discussion are tools that help us cultivate mindfulness both on and off the cushion. The Five Mindfulness Trainings and the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings are guidelines that help us put the practice of mindfulness into our daily lives. |
"Mindfulness is the substance of a Buddha. When you enter deeply into the present moment, you, too become a living Buddha. You see the nature of reality, and this insight liberates you from suffering and confusion."
On Mindful Living (from the Green Mountain Dharma Center) 