Most of us perform our daily activities with distraction. We drive while listening to music. We eat while watching TV or while working. We multitask so that at all times our mind is focused on a myriad of thoughts.
As we enter the Vata season of the year, I've noticed my distraction level increasing (like hopping in the shower with my sock still on…) I've noticed my desire for constant stimulation, my surface need for more sounds and visual input. When I pause, I realize that what my body and mind actually need is less stimulation and more silence. Two habits that reveal to me my need for less stimulation are my monkey mind when trying to fall asleep at night, and a sense of feeling constantly overwhelmed.
Today, to calm my inner vata (my monkey mind), I went on a walk. The purpose of my walk was to practice presence, to meditate. In every thing we do, we have a choice: do we dedicate our full attention to that activity, or do we allow half of our attention for that activity and the other half for something else? When we dedicate all of our attention to one thought or to one activity, we choose presence. We choose to be fully in the here and now without any anticipation for the future and without any reflection about the past.
For example: instead of walking as a means to an end as I hurry to an event, I allow walking in itself to be the event. My mind is not thinking about what is going to happen when I arrive; instead I focus 100% of my attention on the act of walking.
Lift. Heel. Toe. Lift. Heel. Toe. Lift. Heel. Toe. Lift. Heel. Toe.
What would it feel like if you brought all of your attention to the sensation of walking? How does it feel as the sole of your foot rolls on the earth and the sweet caress of the wind moves across your skin?
When we release our grip on the past and the future it gives us the ability to take in all that is right now. When I bring my attention into the Now, I often realize that there's nothing in this moment that needs changing. I am whole. This moment, this life, is perfect.