Mindfulness

When did the last time you do absolutely nothing for 10 minutes? No texting, no talking, or not even thinking.

That was the question that Andy Puddicombe asked the audience at the start of his TEDtalk on mindfulness. I honesty couldn’t answer that question. My mind keep constantly thinking, even when I am truly enjoying the present moment. For example, I was sitting at the beach alone just right after sunrise, feeling at peace, embracing the moments, but my mind will relentlessly jump from thoughts to thoughts: what is other people doing at the moment? What is the singing bird sing about? Will the sun shine bright today?

Andy suggests that all people should take everyday 10 minutes break to absolutely do nothing. In other words, to meditate by simply being at the present.

Now, shalat is an Islamic way of meditation and we do that five times a day. Being at the present while doing shalat is called khusyuq. But I do belief that even when you are khusyuq, you are still thinking about meanings of Quran that you recites and making sure that all recitations and movements are just right.

Even more so, even as a child we are embedded by our parents to not have a blank mind, or the evil will tempt you.

But actually, what Andy really suggests is about mindfulness, which encourages us to simply bring our mind to whatever activity we are doing and observe it in a nonjudgemental way. Now this begs the question: How do you stop your mind from thinking thoughts?

That’s actually what most people, including me, wrongly assumed.

Meditation is not about stopping thoughts and controlling the mind. It is about stepping back, seeing the thoughts clearly, watching the emotions coming and going without making judgements, in a relaxed manner.

Now taking that into consideration, khusyuq IS about being mindful. Mindful of what you are doing at the present. Sitting there by the beach can also be mindful, just taking stock of your surroundings, without really thinking about it.

I didn’t realize that the feeling after I sat there quietly at the beach was what I got for being mindful, being at the present. And I cherished all those mindful moments now!