Photo by Maksim Shutov on Unsplash
During my time in Central Pennsylvania, I have come to understand and accept that March brings swings in the weather. We can experience significant shifts from mild and sunny weather one day to windy and cold, with snow flurries another day. This is how it goes until sometime in April when milder spring weather becomes more consistent. My own personal experiences in March have been mirroring the weather. Each morning, I wake to see what the day brings. I am having periods of time when I am excited and energized about this Mindfulness and Motion, LLC venture I’m on as well as days of overwhelm and indecision and wanting to stay safely under the covers. Through regular meditation practice I’m able to navigate what is arising and choose skillful responses to nurture and grow what is important to me and let go of those things that are not useful.
I have benefitted from the attitude of Beginner’s Mind as I shift roles and engage more fully in offering mindfulness programming and teaching this spring. A beginner’s mind is that attitude of letting go of “knowing” and shifting into suspending expectations, asking questions, and opening to new possibilities with creativity and curiosity. My son taught me about beginner’s mind before I ever knew what to call it. During his preschool years, we would walk to the library once a week. We lived a few short blocks from the library; however, I soon learned that the walk would take quite some time each week due to his observation skills, curiosity for life unfolding in front of us and his propensity for asking questions. One of my favorite memories from those precious walks was the day we stopped and watched as a row of ants made its way across the sidewalk. This was a mindfulness practice of beginner’s mind! We quietly observed what was happening with open curiosity. Periodically he or I would direct attention to something specific occurring as we let the ants do whatever the ants were engaged in. After some time, we continued to the library with renewed wonder and gratitude.
Beginner’s mind can give us the gifts of gratitude, creativity, slowing down and gaining clarity, ability to engage more readily in fun and playfulness, and finding wonder and awe. How might you engage in Beginner’s Mind this spring? Spring itself brings new beginnings. I intend to practice and trust that practice will continue to bring increased curiosity, wonder and greater intention. The links below can help cultivate beginner’s mind.
Looking for assistance with your mindfulness practice? Check out my updated website for the newly added offering of Mindfulness Mentoring: https://www.mindfulnessandmotion.com/services-4.
Consider joining us on Sunday, April 7th at 6pm for the free Monthly Mindfulness Meeting at EUCC.
Wishing you well as you begin again,
Karen
Raisin Meditation: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/raisin_meditation?_ga=2.40270242.1294768524.1710943253-1641389526.1710943252
Headspace--Meditating with Beginner’s Mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDm_na_Blq8