The Discipline of Mindfulness

Lindsey

So I’m trying something a bit ambiguous for Lent this year.  I very often (most days) find myself barreling through my day, and I’m so worn out at the end of the day that all I can do is fly through the drive-thru and veg out in front of my TV – I literally do not have the energy or mental strength to do anything else.  It’s exhausting, and I feel like I’m not enjoying my life, and I’m certainly not living intentionally.  I found a great explanation of mindfulness that I think really fits into the spirit of what I’d like to accomplish this year during Lent:

Mindfulness is a practice in which one pays attention on purpose to present experience, without judgment. By slowing down, being fully present, and examining the mind and emotions with acceptance, the mindfulness practitioner can find freedom from suffering. Individuals who practice Mindfulness notice an increased ability to stay in the present moment and to be more open to “things just as they are.” Acknowledging present moment reality, whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, is the first step toward transformation and insight. Responding versus reacting becomes a possibility. Often practitioners discover long held emotional and behavioral patterns that create stress. These emotional and behavioral patterns are the basis of mental, physical and spiritual disease or suffering. Because of insights that arise from self observation, practitioners often experience an increase in positive mind states such as joy, compassion, equanimity, and kindness.  ~Atlanta Mindfulness Institute

My thinking is that living a more mindful, intentional life leads to Christ-like behavior.  So, it is with that in mind that I’m creating a bit of an amalgam for my Lenten practice this year.  I am taking on the task of living more mindfully.  There are a few base things that I know this will look like, though I’m very open to adjusting the practice as the weeks progress.  Here’s what I know so far:

  • No television shows or movies (on the TV, iPad, or computer) at home.  If a friend wants to go to the movies, or if I’m spending time out with friends and the TV is a part of that, fine – that is an intentional activity choice.  The mindless binge-watching is not.  The only exception is that I can watch TV if I am exercising, with the theory being that if I can intentionally set aside time to care for my body (something I do not currently do), I can reward that intentional activity.
  • I have removed Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Pinterest from my phone.  It’s not that I’m “giving up” social media – I think it’s great to be able to connect with my friends and family that I do not see every day.  However, it’s gotten to the point where I can’t even walk from the parking deck to my desk at work without checking Facebook.  I get anxious and fidgety if I’m not on my phone.  Social media has a time and a place, and that is not when I’m at a restaurant, in the car, on the elevator, etc.  I can still visit all of those places on my computer at specific times, but the 24/7 social media stream will end.
  • I’ve been trying (unsuccessfully) to implement daily time in the Word this year, and one of the things I noticed is that when I have the time for it, I default to either turning on the TV or pulling out my phone.  I’m recommitting to a daily spiritual time that will become regular practice long after Lent has ended.

I also found this awesome list of Mindfulness Rituals written by Leo Babauta at zenhabits that I might play with a bit.  I think that the above things will force me to refocus my thoughts and impulses, and once I am able to turn my brain down a couple of notches I can start to look at picking up some rituals to keep me grounded.  In the article, Leo says “Are you simply moving through your day, without fully living?  I did this for many years. It was as if life were just passing by, and I was waiting for something to happen. I always felt like I was preparing for something later.  But today isn’t preparation for tomorrow.  Today’s the main event.”  That sentiment really knocks me in the gut, because that’s exactly how I’m feeling.

There’s also a really fascinating movement called I’m Not Busy that lists the following challenge:  “I’M NOT BUSY is a message both to yourself and to others. It doesn’t say that you have no pressures, demands or deadlines. It means that you are not going to let them rule your life or eat into your soul.”  While the intent is slightly different than what I am working on, I think that this is an easy way to visualize some of the practices I’m working towards.  Their Top 10 Tips are things that might work their way into my experience, and I’m definitely following their conversation on social media (but not with my phone!) to see how other people embrace this practice.

I’m very curious to see how all this works out, and I’d love to know what other Lenten practices people are working on this year!

A holy Lent begins with humility

Lindsey

The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler, the dean of my church, had some wonderful pre-Ash Wednesday thoughts that I wanted to share:

A holy Lent begins with humility, which is a deep word. The word “humility,” comes from the Latin word, “humus,” which means, of course, “organic earth,” or “dirt.” I think humus is actually “good dirt.” For Christians, to be humble does not mean getting stepped on like a doormat; it means being “down to earth” like good and honest soil. Humility means being real, being authentic about who we are, not thinking more about ourselves than what we really are. Humility means being the fertile soil which allows great things to grow. (Read the full post on Dean Candler’s blog.)

Also, for those who can handle a Lenten laugh, this is pretty hilarious.  I’m going to participate this year! I figure at the very least it will be educational:

Salty

Lindsey
The three great church fathers, Saints Gregory, John Chrysostom, and Basil, lived in the fourth century and advocated the doctrine of the Trinity. Each hierarch bears an omophorion, a white stole decorated with crosses that Orthodox bishops wore to signify their spiritual authority. Icon of the three hierarchs, probably Thessaloniki, first half of 14th century, tempera and gold on wood, Athens, Byzantine and Christian Museum
The three great church fathers, Saints Gregory, John Chrysostom, and Basil, lived in the fourth century and advocated the doctrine of the Trinity.
Icon of the three hierarchs, probably Thessaloniki, first half of 14th century, tempera and gold on wood, Athens, Byzantine and Christian Museum

Last weekend my mom and I took a very impromptu trip to Washington, DC. We had two goals: see the Heaven and Earth exhibit at the National Gallery of Art and attend Sunday morning service at the Washington National Cathedral. We had a great time, and even snuck in a show at Shakespeare Theatre Company!

The sermon was on Matthew 5:13-20 – “you are the salt of the earth.” It’s a verse that always confused me, but Dean Hall’s sermon cleared that up. As Christians, we are the flavor of the earth. We are valuable and hardy. It’s really worth it to watch the sermon – it starts at the 32 minute mark (just before that, you can actually see me in the bottom left corner as they process after the Gospel reading, super short blonde pony tail, haha).  I cook with salt a lot (Kosher salt, no less), and I’ll think about it differently every time I use it!