What you miss when consumed by distractions
We live in a time where our attention and choice is precious
Call it a ritual or call it reality, but these few things have helped me tremendously when I’m overwhelmed, distracted, and clearly over consuming media in general. And rather than accomplishing this with a formal meditation practice, it's when I eat my morning meal.
If they resonate with you, fantastic. May they assist you in restoring a sense of connection with your body, your thoughts, and the space in which you inhabit while you’re taking part in an essential daily activity: eating.
For your next meal consider sitting, chewing, and observing your body as well as the room you’re in in silence. Breakfast I find is a nice match. I love this time because I’m already in a contemplative mode. The world around me feels quiet and clear. I’m not in an enormous rush (this is key, maybe for you lunch or dinner would be better) and I’m particularly fond of watching the darkness of the dawn light up from the sunrise. The timing of it is primed for stillness and presence. It sets the tone.
Yet throughout the day, depending on the workload or activities, I find myself returning to the practice of silence. It can provide a reset or reorientation when things tend to speed up. Not in my actions so much as the chatter which builds in my mind. Because of this I’ve found that the practice of silence helps curb disruptive frequencies and potential distractions, keeping me centered or simply breathing calmly. (Again it’s all a practice)
The ability to be in the present moment is a practice that hinges on presence. And that, in this scenario, couples silence and participation. Little by little a sense of spaciousness is revealed – space to listen, taste, breathe, and nourish oneself.
Having a clear sense of personal awareness can surface from moments of silence. Being seated and steady in your awareness resides upstream of being able to notice the following. If you’re willing (and likely able) to quietly contemplate in silence, you have the opportunity to hone in on things that may be missed or otherwise unrecognized because your attention was elsewhere.
The breath, if this is even something you notice at all, can be an immediate barometer for slowing and calming down.
The thoughts and what you are allowing your mind to consider. What is happening on the inside versus outside? What is it that you intuitively know about yourself?
The act of chewing. How and if you take the time to chew has the capacity to elevate your experience and depth of taste, flavor, nourishment, let alone do wonders to heal your digestion.
Being witness to the surrounding scene or scenery and the mood it sustains.
Embracing silence can have quite the ripple effect, especially at mealtimes. The act of eating gives the mind and body something in which to focus on, allowing space for the unconscious to creatively think. For example, each one of these practices connects to the other in some way. Clear the counter or table so that you have a warm and welcoming space to sit…even better, set a place for yourself.
Gentle objects such as a small bud vase with flowers or a candle can give the eyes a place to rest, reminding you to slow down and connect with no other time and space than the one you inhabit in that moment. Maybe it’s a window seat that provides a view outside. Sometimes you tune out to tune in, surrendering to movement in order to focus.