The most important communication of all

The most important communication is….? No prizes for guessing my answer. It’s the starting place: it’s how we communicate with ourselves: what we tell ourselves: our self talk: our thoughts, feelings, and sensations. And just how do we know what’s going on inside? Slowing down enough to be aware of what we’re thinking, feeling and sensing in our physical bodies. Are you serious? Slowing down in a ‘move faster, cram more into the time available, have another coffee world’? How the heck to do that when everyone around in the physical and especially in the virtual world is giving the message: ‘Speed up’!

In recent years, I’ve noticed the rise in classes for mindfulness, meditation, yoga, tai chi, Qi Gong & such like. Hardly a coincidence I tell myself, as we seek an antidote to the disconnect that happens when our minds are encouraged to move faster than the rest of us. And rather than think that we’re inadequate in some way because of our seeming inability to live at this pace and enjoy it, a better solution is to develop other practices that offer us a more enjoyable pace and balance. Especially those practices that encourage us to be aware of what is happening in the present moment, like those listed above do.

Personally, I’ve always enjoyed anything that increases my awareness of what I’m actually doing in the present time, rather than being lost in my thoughts. I especially like activities that are everyday and commonplace. When at the allotment, for example, if I’m digging the earth with a spade, fork or trowel, sowing seeds in rich, dark seed compost, planting the seeds that have become seedlings, using a saw and secateurs to prune the generous apple tree that never fails to produce abundantly every autumn, I am mindful of what I’m doing. And it’s my belief that those organisms that I’m friendly towards understanding that somehow. This may be a complete delusion of course, but it doesn’t seem to do any harm to anyone or anything, so I shall continue the practice.

Likewise when I’m in the kitchen. I’ll often stand still for a while, taking heed of the time whilst the food to be created arrives in my consciousness. I find that this then leads easily & naturally to the selection of ingredients, implements, pans & pots that are needed to ensure the food is made. I’ve learned that if I want to enjoy what I create, it’s not wise to be distracted when I’m using a sharp knife. Who wants blood sauce?! Nor is it wise to lose track of time by doing something else. Who wants the charcoal to eat?!

What else to add to this list of everyday activities? The preparation and drinking tea & coffee, washing plates, cups, knives, forks & spoons and drying them: loading the washing machine, hanging clothes up to dry, ironing clothes and putting them away. Writing personal reflections, thoughts & insights in a journal, writing emails on pc, laptop, tablet or phone. Then there are the physical activities like walking in a favorite wood, around a lake moving to music in a form that blends my body sensations & inner rhythms with music that’s playing around me.

What is your favorite everyday or commonplace activity that brings you into the present moment?