On mindfulness
To my mind, the idea that doing the dishes is unpleasant can occur only when you are not doing them. Once you are standing in front of the sink with your sleeves rolled up and your hands in warm water, it really is not so bad. I enjoy taking my time with each dish, being fully aware of the dish, the water, and each movement of my hands. I know that if I hurry in order to go and have a cup of tea, the time will be unpleasant and not worth living. That would be a pity, for each minute, each second of life is a miracle.
-Thich Nhat Hanh
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Nice quote – thanks for sharing!
O.
You know Thom–this is so true. I will cook almost anything, but I am often daunted by the fact that once I am done, I have to wash so many dishes. This gives me pause to think. Thanks!
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I love Thich Nhat Hanh’s teaching on mindfulness. In fact, it is Buddhist teaching on mindfulness that keeps me from reading a book while eating. In reading on mindfulness I actually learned that by doing both things at the same time I am actually participating in neither. Now, I pause before my meal and think “I am eating a miracle”, especially if I am eating fruit or vegetables. It is hard, because I like to read, but definitely worth it.
Thanks Thom!
Mindfulness can be quite difficult to achieve in our hurry-up lives; but even achieving it once or twice a week is worth the effort…recently I had a really bad bout with stomach flu and I was weak, uninterested in food, weak enough to not even do much reading for an entire week…it was one of the best weeks of my life…simply walking from sofa to chair could be carried out in a mindful way…feeling the softness of the couch that surrounded my body was a first, though I sit on that couch every day…just listening to the sounds of the house (crackling metal as heat coursed through the ducts, refrigerator cycling on and off, silence itself)…
I have since tried practicing mindfulness with increased vigor with great satisfaction…does it occur every day? No…but when it does, it is its own reward…and leads to a softening of the sharp edges of life in the midst of busyness, noisy grandkids, reading assignments…
Okey and John, of course.
Tim, I’m with you on that. Reading while at lunch would be very nice, but I’ve had to cut that out. You’re right- I’d be doing neither!
Rachel, you’re right that mindfulness can be very difficult to achieve. I’ve tried to incorporate it as part of my spiritual disciplines, and even in my limited experience it’s made such a big difference.
I really enjoy T N H… but I must say that I actually don’t like doing the dishes, especially when I’m doing them. I don’t like my hands getting wrinkly in the water, I don’t like the slimey texture of the dish soap, and I don’t enjoy the repetitive motion of wiping each dish or glass.
Mindfulness: yes, dishes: no.
Jacob, try wearing gloves.
If the old Mass had not been sidelined by the Protestant Novus Ordo, the whole dishwashing scene would not have been kidnapped by the gay agenda. Down with this sort of thing.
Mr Bonkers – what does your comment have to do with anything posted? It is almost incoherent.
Mr. Bonkers, if the old Mass had made you as hateful as you’re presenting yourself, you can keep it.
Peace.
Oh dear. It was a joke. Am I the only one who thought it was funny? Lighten up!
I am sorry. If you only knew how accustomed I am to receiving comments like that that are intended to be serious!
I know Thom, I read them as well, I thought that being called ‘Mr Bonkers’ might just give the game away though – or does bonkers not mean crazy in america?
Andrew.
I thought that perhaps it was one of my Polish readers being funny again. The “fsmail” should have given it away, however. I’m not quite on top of my game today.
Oh, don’t worry, I have a peculiar sense of humour sometimes. Have a cyber pat-on-the-had and a bacon sandwich.
Head, not had. Probably time to go!
Peculiar is just fine with me. My co-workers often wonder if I’m serious or crazy. I’d say it’s a 50/50 mixture, but I can’t be sure.
Both a pat and bacon would be nice, but I suppose I’ll settle for my peanut butter and honey crackers.
Mr. Bonkers, don’t worry….this Anglican got it
Romans, jeez.
Great quote!
Trans-Atlantic humo(u)r can get people in trouble…
Very (quite) funny! :-p