Mindfulness

[Tywno]

I just read a thread about the Zen of Honing and my reply became so lengthy, I thought it deserved its own thread.

You know, I visited a mindfulness workshop a few weeks ago. For those of you who are unfamiliar with that term, it boils down to do everything you do with your full and undivided attention.

Go figure. I bet that a lot of what the members of this forum do and crave, is to have the time to do his or her thing without being rushed by 'the outside world'.
Once it was without explanation you could shave, hone, strop, write with a fountain pen, cook, read, work, smoke pipes or cigars, you name it and take the time you needed. Heck, I even find shooting a gun relaxing, because it clears my mind while I focus on the target.
A lot of these relaxing activities have another thing in common: affinity for the tools you use. Loving and caring for it. Mending and restoring it if neccessary. Indeed, making it a part of YOU. Not just an object, but it is yours and other people know it is! Such tools ooze the personality of the owner.

Nowadays, we lost our anchors. With billion blade cartzilla's out to eat your face, frozen tv-dinners, BIC pens, tabloids, skyhigh stress at work and cigarettes. There's no love, just throw it away when it's used. All in the name of 'efficiency'. There's no more Zen, no more contemplation. We've lost of what is important: ourselves.

Fortunately, forums like B&B offer a platform to regain the lost pleasures yore and share them with others who feel discontent about their way of life. When slowing down again and enjoying something simple as a good shave (you know what I'm talking about, you faceturbators), or enjoying a home cooked meal that was given proper attention we can feel human again.

Let it all go , take your time and just enjoy the experience. That is mindfulness, that is Zen.

So, I finally got that out of my system. Please comment and add more activities you consider to be Zen and good for the soul.

 

[Hreafn]

My zen moments are shaving and shooting. When i shoot my bow nothing else matters just seeing my target and getting the arrow to it.

 

[drumana]

Tywno - nice post, and very well said. I completely agree. I try to bring mindfulness to everything I do - shaving, cooking, working, listening to music, playing guitar, relationships... I also practice mindful meditation (Vipassana)... the rewards are great.

 

[GFlanagan3]

I just read a thread about the Zen of Honing and my reply became so lengthy, I thought it deserved its own thread.

You know, I visited a mindfulness workshop a few weeks ago. For those of you who are unfamiliar with that term, it boils down to do everything you do with your full and undivided attention.

Go figure. I bet that a lot of what the members of this forum do and crave, is to have the time to do his or her thing without being rushed by 'the outside world'.
Once it was without explanation you could shave, hone, strop, write with a fountain pen, cook, read, work, smoke pipes or cigars, you name it and take the time you needed. Heck, I even find shooting a gun relaxing, because it clears my mind while I focus on the target.
A lot of this relaxing activities has another thing in common: affinity for the tools you use. Loving and caring for it. Mending and restoring it if neccessary. Indeed, making it a part of YOU. Not just an object, but it is yours and other people know it is! Such tools ooze the personality of the owner.

Nowadays, we lost our anchors. With billion blade cartzilla's out to eat your face, frozen tv-dinners, BIC pens, tabloids, skyhigh stress at work and cigarettes. There's no love, just throw it away when it's used. All in the name of 'efficiency'. There's no more Zen, no more contemplation. We've lost of what is important: ourselves.

Fortunately, forums like B&B offer a platform to regain the lost pleasures yore and share them with others who feel discontent about their way of life. When slowing down again and enjoying something simple as a good shave (you know what I'm talking about, you faceturbators), or enjoying a home cooked meal that was given proper attention we can feel human again.

Let it all go , take your time and just enjoy the experience. That is mindfulness, that is Zen.

So, I finally got that out of my system. Please comment and add more activities you consider to be Zen and good for the soul.

Perhaps with a slightly different perspective I can offer this:I am a pastor. I see a lack of mindfulness in worship all the time. I humbly offer the following bit of thought to this discussion. Have we, as a nation forgotten our religious roots, whatever they may be? Whatever creed or practice you follow, do you see a certain sense of 'let's get it over with' so we can go on and do something else? I wonder if it is my own religion or are we in such a rush that out souls simply suffer? Do we take time for the Divine anymore? Again I am not pushing or advocating for what I believe , but I do wonder what we do for the part of ourselves that needs the most care-our souls?

 

[kingfisher]

Not sure if this is mindfulness or not, but I find that the entire morning ritual (showering and shaving) is enhanced by allowing oneself to focus on sensory input. What does your bath soap smell like? What does the water falling on your head feel like? What does your razor sound like as you cut your whiskers?

Just focusing on these senses makes getting ready for work much more enjoyable for me.

 

[GFlanagan3]

Not sure if this is mindfulness or not, but I find that the entire morning ritual (showering and shaving) is enhanced by allowing oneself to focus on sensory input. What does your bath soap smell like? What does the water falling on your head feel like? What does your razor sound like as you cut your whiskers?

Just focusing on these senses makes getting ready for work much more enjoyable for me.

I think it may be. I think we need more of that type thing in our lives for whatever purpose. We are in a culture where imho we are OVER stimulated. I too, enjoy the things you mentioned.

 

[Jim B.]

My zen moments are shaving and shooting. When i shoot my bow nothing else matters just seeing my target and getting the arrow to it.

Me, too. Except my target shooting involves guns. I'd also include motorcycle riding. When I ride, it's just me and the bike.