WRITING AS PRACTICE: EXPLORING INTENTION 2
This weeks exercise was a check in on how my mindfulness practice was going to help encourage learning and motivation. It began by a simple breathing exercise to help ground me and keep me focused during reflection. I used a quick body scan technique I learned at my medication course in the Dublin Buddhist Centre. I then began to ask my self “How does my practice serve me?”. I allowed my thoughts to come and go and repeated the question every so often for the next ten minutes. I jotted down whatever words or sentences came to mind for the next 30 minutes. I set my alarm for 30 minutes time. I didn’t judge what I was writing or think about it too much. It was just words jumbled together on a page. I didn’t read what I had wrote until the alarm went.
One must endure the caterpillar if ones is to become acquainted with the butterflies
-Antoine d Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince, 1943
Sooooooooo HOW DOES MY PRACTICE SERVE ME?
During the writing up of my thesis, I lost my USB stick. Any normal person would absolutely sh**t themselves. I didn’t. I knew if I freaked out I would make things ten times worse. I stayed calm and collected. I went straight home from the library and searched my laptop for the last draft I had saved. I found bits and bobs from here and there. I knew I was weeks ahead of myself so catching up would be an effort but it wouldn’t impact me as much as it would have if I wasn’t as organised. My calm reaction to this situation was definitely influenced by my mindfulness practice, yoga classes and new mind set.
Some words that popped into my head during this reflective piece were
RELAXED
PEACE
CALMNESS
HAPPINESS
CONTENTMENT
SELF AWARENESS
COPING SKILLS
ORGANISED
REFLECTION
Appreciation of life
Improved sleep
Yoga helps a lot
Opened my eyes to the world around me
Helped me appreciate the little things in life
Keeps me focused
Less sad, frustrated or angry moments- when I do feel these emotions they only come for small periods of time now
I can overcome stressful moments maturely and more grounded
If you have ever tried any of these mindful exercises yourself, HOW DOES YOUR PRACTICE SERVE YOU? Give it a go and see if anything comes to mind. You might be surprised as to the what words come pop up. The benefits of mindfulness practices can sometimes go unnoticed so its important to check in with yourself every so often. I didn’t realize how much I have benefited from it and how its changed my outlook on life and my reactions to negative situations.
J x
Dont . Hate . Meditate 