When I am asked about it or when we read about the many benefits of a daily Mindfulness practice we will learn most frequently that Mindfulness is a tool we can use to relieve ourselves of anxiety, stress, worry, self-doubt, depressed moods, chronic pain and emotional suffering….to name just a few.
But that’s just the beginning. With a continuing daily practice, Mindfulness fosters healthier attitudes within us, our relationship to others, and a more productive lifestyle. When that happens we also perpetuate positive and healing effects on others.
I recently came across a poem by the famous Native American Shawnee Warrior and Chief, Tecumseh. This poem reflects the transition in one’s life we can expect with a daily routine of Mindfulness Meditation.
Excerpts from “A Poem by Tecumseh”
“So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people (others). Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none.
When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.”
Mindfulness is a lifestyle and by making time in your life for this loving act of kindness towards yourself, you will discover who you really are ( Eckhart Tolle calls it the deep “I”) and shed all the negative accoutrements you have unwittingly accumulated over your lifetime. By simply sitting with and by yourself for short periods time each day, you will discover how to “beautify all things in your life.”
My Mindfulness classes at the Meditation Tree in Sherman Oaks (themeditationtree.com) are open to all residents of Los Angeles, east from Pasadena and Glendale to Calabasas and Thousand Oaks, from Santa Monica and Hollywood to Santa Clarita and all points in between. Many others teach Mindfulness Meditation as well. So…whenever you are ready...where ever you may live…. Let the practice begin!