8 ways mindfulness changed my life

Eight ways mindfulness changed my life

A friend asked me the other day "What’s the biggest thing mindfulness has taught you since you started practicing it?"

Hmm, well, I couldn’t think of just one thing (it's been about 15 years of practice!), so I pondered. And here's some of what popped up:

1. Everything, absolutely everything we resist and struggle with, comes down to one thing: lack of presence

This doesn’t mean I’m eternally Zen, it’ll always be a work in progress. But learning this, through practice, day in day out for years – is something I can’t unlearn.

2. Peace is always there, just under the mind-noise

Peace doesn’t need creating or cultivating, we just need to undress our thoughts to the pure naked presence we are. And this presence is far more infinite and mysterious and loving than anything I can explain. But I do know we can marinade in it and, when we do, the bliss soaks in deep.

3. We all take ourselves way too seriously

A properly ‘awakened’ monk is the most playful childlike (note, not childish) human being you can meet!

4. The ego always needs a feed

And often we choose to feed it over being happy because meanness and jealousy and all those things are so devilishly delicious. But the ego binge comes at a hefty soul price.

5. Anxiety is 100% creativity

We have no idea what’s going to happen in one minute, five months or six years. Anxiety is only ever an attempt to control uncertainty with pictures and dialogue in our head and corresponding fireworks in our bodies.

6. We are not our thoughts

And when we realise this, we tap into a supreme and supportive universal power that can’t let us down. Our power.

7. We don’t have to enjoy practicing mindfulness

It’s just sit-ups for the soul, with benefits inevitable if we do the work. Because when we take care of the minutes the years take care of themselves. Because practice helps anxiety, sleep, pleasure, health, connection and creativity more than anything else I’ve ever experienced.

8. Living with more presence makes the experience of life happier, deeper and more beautiful.

Love, Jo