Practising Mindfulness by Matthew Sockolov

Breathing

The body is always breathing, and the breath is constantly moving. Your breath is not only the best place to start; it’s a constant you can return to any time you need a little centering.

In this first practice, you will gently find the breath in the body. There is nothing to figure out, no problems to solve, and nothing special you need to do. Constantly return to your direct experi- ence of the body breathing. You are training the mind to be with one experience without distraction.

Functional

Cooking or preparing a meal is an opportunity to form a loving connection with your food. As you prepare a meal, you can cultivate mindfulness of your body and mind as well as the food you will be eating. Whether you’re making a quick meal or preparing a feast, use this exercise to ground yourself in the present moment.

Stress Relief

When we are faced with a difficult emotion, we often seek ways to change how we feel, trying to “outthink” the emotional experience or putting our attention elsewhere. Attending to these moments with mindfulness requires some patience and compassion. By caring for the painful experience, you can allow yourself to feel it and see it with clarity. This exercise will help you practice being with the difficulty rather than pushing it away.