It’s those pauses in between when “life” happens… the pause between this activity and that one. The pause between the inhale and the exhale. The pause between placing one foot down and picking up the other.
Taking the pauses as they come – realizing them for the true gifts that they are. Not rushing to end the pause. It is in these pauses when calmness and clarity come. In a world where “multitasking” is revered, and countless hours are spent doing too many things at once, it is all the more meaningful to take the time to really explore the stillness.
Even the most menial tasks can be enjoyed when you simply think about what you are doing at the present moment. One of my favorite tasks for “living in the moment” is washing the dishes. The simple act of turning on the faucet, wetting my hands and a cloth, preparing the soap. I think about the science of it and I think about the art of it. I think about how I am grateful for indoor plumbing and for even having a pot to wash. With these thoughts in mind, you can wash a dozen dishes and also invite the stillness into your mind. It’s a lovely exercise – try it!
Mindfulness is so simple, yet so few people in our society do it. I am doing some research right now on mindfulness in yoga practice for my final project for Teacher Training. I hope to have more to share soon – my mindfulness project goes beyond the physical practice of yoga, and into every day life yoga – on and off the mat. My research paper is due next month, so you will probably hear more about it 
Walking and hiking is definitely one of the most enjoyable activities, and a very good way to introduce a mindfulness practice into your life. I especially like to take the hikes during the little pauses in between seasons – those sort of subtle days when there is a fuzzy line between the two… This weekend provided such an opportunity to explore a new trail in one of our favorite areas. We took the dogs, and we took our time.
Project Spectrum has been a practice of mindfulness from the very beginning – just noticing the things around you. Even if you feel that you don’t have the time to actually “craft” something in the specific colors this time around, you can still participate in the way of thinking about it. Thinking about the ripples on the water, thinking about the blue of the sky, thinking about the shifting seasons… and finally, taking the pause and just relishing in it.
I love your idea of making Project Spectrum a practice in mindfulness. I will definitely try to do that from now on (though I’m not actually participating). I love hikes in the woods, they’re so calming.
I’m not actively participating in the project spectrum (I’m preparing a show amongst other things), but I’m following it and I really like the idea. As for mindfulness – my walks on the black beach and in the beautiful nature all a round me are almost like meditation. But I do sometimes miss the trees. I really love the woods and children are almost beside themselves with joy when we get to walk and play in them.
Excellent written post, and much food for me for thought. Thank you.
I’m going to consciously make a point of being more mindful.
Looking forward to hearing more on your research paper.
Simply beautiful.
such beautiful pictures!
Thank you for this lovely reminder. I needed it right now! xox.
Hiking is what I do to get into that mindful space, too. I haven’t been “out in the woods” in almost three weeks now and I can feel the effect it is having on me. I need to get out on the trail this weekend!
thank you for your thoughtful post. right now i’m making applesauce, and the simple act of peeling and chopping apples is a form of mindfulness for me, but so too is a solo bike ride on a forest trail. great pics – love the trees and bark.
Thank you for this lovely reminder to pause every once in a while. I love the mindfulness exercises my yoga teacher suggests every week. It has made me so grateful.
My hunter brain does mindfulness on an unconscious level (you know, constantly on the lookout for saber tooth cats and such) but once I start trying to be aware of it, I get twitchy. I suppose it’s just a habit I must cultivate. I look forward to seeing your research.
Ahhhhh. That’s how I feel after reading this. Great post.
(I love doing the dishes!)
The whole concept of being mindful is one I embrace heartily. To me, it is evolving— at varying rates of course. Mindfulness while decidedly ‘inactive’ means something different at different levels. Maybe that didn’t make any sense at all!
Great post, lovely photos.
Wow, these are such gorgeous photos I can almost get lost in them.
I’ve enjoyed reading about your teacher training. I completed a year long program several years ago and really enjoyed the experience. Your posts have brought back some sweet memories. Thanks
the photos are breathtaking! I think “fall”/autumn is your favorite season? I love trees and found it hard to live in a “new city” once with baby trees that were being planted. I kept telling people in 15 years they would be SO grateful for all those trees!
Anyway, lovely post. We don’t have to make life as complicated as we do sometimes, and pausing is REALLY good for you!
Thanks for the wonderful pictures and I enjoyed reading about enjoying the little things around you. That is true we really take them for granted in our hectic world. I try to take time to “smell the roses” but everyone needs to do that to really enjoy life. Thanks so much and loved it all. Rowena
Even though they don’t feature turning leaves, your pictures have the essence of fall. Now that the nights are cooler and the humidity has gone down, it’s really starting to feel like fall. I’m looking forward to seeing all of your beautiful pictures as the season changes!
hi lolly! i was just stopping by to see how you were progressing with yoga teacher training (belated congratulations on graduating, btw!) and stumbled on this post. have you ever heard of Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh, who wrote on mindfulness? washing dishes was a big thing for him:
“If while we are washing dishes, we think only of the cup of tea that awaits us, thus hurrying to get the dishes out of the way as they were a nuisance, then we are not ‘washing the dishes to wash to wash the dishes.’ What’s more we are not alive during the time we are washing the dishes….If we can’t washes the dishes, chances are we won’t be able to drink our tea either.” Thich Nhat Hanh (1976). The Miracle of Mindfulness (trans: Moby Ho). Boston: Beacon Press.