Taking time out

When was the last time you actually did nothing ? Not reading, working, gardening, sleeping, cooking etc just literally sat down and did no thing which is what doing nothing is all about.

Our bodies and minds need time out from the frantic pace of life and yet there is often a guilty feeling associated with just sitting down doing nothing. I know there are many things that we do for relaxation such as reading, arts etc but this still requires us to to engage with some action whereas doing nothing asks no more that to be. Be present with your body as it is and the breath. It can be challenging. We fidget, notice the mind swirling with thoughts and start planning our next activity etc but it is worth persevering with the practice and noticing the discomfort that arises. After a while the process becomes easier and you will find yourself feeling a lot more rested and refreshed than if you had been relaxing with a book or watching an interesting show.

The first step is in stilling the body and allowing yourself to be exactly where you are. Noticing where you are and how you are sitting. The next step is to become aware of your breathing. Examining the depth, speed, temperature etc of your natural breath. Then you can employ either a count of the breath or a simple mantra to keep the mind from wandering as you watch your breath. You only need to practice for short time 5 or 10 mins. Try practising this a few times a week and see how it works for you. I would be interested in your feedback.

Here is a little guided session to get you started.

Om Shanti