"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." - Albert Einstein

Yesterday I spent some time getting outside of myself by visiting an older couple living nearby. After a wonderful visit, I went for a 12 mile hike along the sea. Often times I would attempt walking with eyes shut. My trust in walking a straight path in this way usually lasted at most, 40 steps. What appears to be a silly exercise on the surface is really a way to disconnect one of the most overly used senses. We've all heard of the case where a person loses their hearing and another sense like smell, can become amplified.

Perhaps walking with eyes closed is a little extreme for some. So try eliminating the sense of sight while engaging in a smaller activity like brushing the teeth. When we re-examine closely the day to day monotony of simple tasks, sometimes a freshness to life is transmitted into other more meaningful events. Could mindfulness in shaving actually lead to more attention to the co-workers, spouse or children? Are we willing to try?

People interested in pursuing the practice of mindfulness meditation often ask me about my daily practice. So I thought I would take a moment (if only to remind myself) what I do each day consistently. I begin every morning by making a conscious effort to appreciate the fact I'm alive. Still lying in bed I repeat the mantra, "I feel terrific" three times. Many mornings I may not feel particularly terrific, and already my brain wants to push the to-do list into the forefront of my thinking. In spite of my previous conditioning, prior to inhaling I say, "I feel," and upon exhaling, "terrific." By the third repetition of this phrase I now have a smile creeping across my lips, as if my face has relaxed with the realization that life isn't so serious.

There is a popular statue of Hotei, an enlightened master often confused with the Buddha. He is usually posed with big belly pushed outward, eyes closed and laughing wholeheartedly. He started laughing immediately upon enlightenment, and  laughing became his way of sharing the joy of awakening to others.

After getting out of bed, I try to stay mindful, continue to smile and not get involved in too many tasks. After a necessary bathroom stop and some quick nourishment (I like eating an apple because I was told an apple wakes you up faster than a cup of coffee), I try to meditate immediately. If I realize a busy schedule, or I've awoken later than usual, I might only spend 10 to 15 minutes sitting quietly, preferably outdoors. On the weekends I enjoy sitting for 20 to 40 minutes first thing in the morning.

Sitting with my legs crossed, palms opened and facing upward resting on the knees, back straight and eyes closed- I just focus on the breath. I follow the path of the inhale as it passes my nostrils before filling my lungs and abdomen. I make an effort to notice the pause right before exhalation. The outward breath is a release of all tension in the body. By focusing on the breath, the mind cannot waver and my body becomes energized. When thoughts do invade my peaceful sanctuary of stillness (which they always will), I treat them like clouds and let them pass.

I do the same thing when I encounter an itchy nose, sleepy/numb leg, etc. Immediately reacting to sounds, thoughts, or vibrations while meditating can turn me into a twitchy mess. Simply observing and not resisting helps to keep me peacefully centered. This feeling can carry throughout the day and serve as a reminder of the impermanence of all things.

Without getting into too many details- talking about meditation forms can be equally as boring as describing the serve in tennis- I'll just say I end my day in pretty much the same way. While monitoring the onset of sleepiness, I will make meditation my final physical activity. I avoid electronic devices in bed (again, based on some information I picked up about these things overstimulating the brain), I may doze off while reading a book or magazine

"I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing." -Socrates

Regardless of how much I practice meditation, I want to keep a beginner's mind. Shunyru Suzuki, who created the San Francisco Zen Center and wrote the book Zen Mind- Beginner's Mind said, "In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities. In the expert’s mind there are few."

Again, if I can look at a small activity like shaving, I can see the process as I did the first time my father taught me. He took such care and concern not to cut me; not to miss the spots on the lower neck, and gave advice regarding the prevention of  razor burn. By doing this I honor our relationship and history, I continue to plan for the future, but most importantly... I stay present.

Beginning today,
Carl