MINDFULNESS MEDITATION

July 2007

Meditation helps us to calm and stabilise the mind, so that we can remain more tranquil during the stresses of life. We can use the ability we have developed in meditation to help us remain aware during every day activities. By using the skills of meditation we can deepen our powers of concentration and deepen our understanding of ourselves and life around us. For instance, how easy it is, when doing the mundane every day tasks we all have to do, to allow the mind to wander. We can get lost in thought about some trifling incident that might have upset us or into a daydream about an event we anticipate. When washing the dishes, cleaning the house, doing the shopping, gardening, for example, how often do you find yourself thinking of other things? How often do you find yourself thinking of something else when ‘listening’ to someone?

People often tell me they find it difficult to find the time to set aside for meditation. In reality, we can use all the things we do every day as a practice in mindfulness, or being mindful. This does not mean that we should never spend time in a focussed meditation, because that experience enriches our everyday life. In focused meditation we can go deeper than the mindfulness meditation or concentration of everyday life.

Let us choose an activity that almost all of us does every day – shopping. Love it or hate it, we all have to buy the things we need somehow. I don’t include recreational shopping in this activity. That comes into a different category. No, choose the kind of shopping that becomes a bit of a chore. We can include in this activity the mindfulness of both doing the shopping and considering how we can shop economically and not be wasteful.

Mindful Shopping

Let us take the weekly supermarket shopping or household shopping wherever you do it, if not a supermarket.

As you walk around the store, notice the goods you pass. Be aware of anything that catches your eye, the things you would love to have if you could. Why would you like the item? Remember the last things you bought and decide if they brought you the benefits you expected. You might remember the sales adverts or persuasive talk of the sales assistant. Perhaps you bought it against your better judgement or because of persuasive sales or advertising. Before you buy anything, think carefully about how necessary it is. Is there a better or more economical item, one less harmful to the environment, one that is easier to recycle or reuse. Resist any impulse buying. Think about the packaging, if any, and whether it is environmentally friendly or will take hundreds of years in landfill to biodegrade. Become aware of all the people who have been involved in growing it, producing it, importing it or conveying it to the store. This need not take a long time, keep it as brief as possible to avoid inconveniencing others. Before you pick anything, concentrate on how you are doing it. Notice the eye contact with the item, notice your hand picking it up and putting it into the basket, trolley or cart. Bring into your shopping time the walking mindfulness, so that you are aware of every movement of your feet.

You can also do this activity with other simple tasks, such as washing up, cleaning, listening carefully to your children or partner, gardening or diy.

© Kathleen Pepper 2007

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