While we have learned a lot from Mukarram's practices here, we are all individuals and sometimes we need to find our own paths. While his routines and insights are incredibly inspiring, it can act just as an inspiration, not a rule book. But one thing really struck me while I was interviewing Mukarram, and that was on his small daily practices that, with time, grew into his practice he has today. It really made me see the path for someone that may feel nervous or overwhelmed bringing big change all at once in their lives. Because of this, we have compiled 5 daily habits that can enhance your mindfulness. These can be used without meditation or as part of a deepening of your daily practice.
1- Be still in the morning
Mukarram has a point in the peacefulness of the mornings. Before the day starts for you and especially if you wake up before your family, you can find a beautiful solitude that can really set the intentions for the entire day. While Mukarram spends his mornings in prayer, even just plain sitting in silence and taking in the world around can be beneficial. For me, I love to water my plants first thing in the morning. Walking into my green room I get hit with the smell of the herbs and it instantly puts my heart at ease. It is also fun to discover the changes over the night. Is there a new flower? A new vegetable? Did my cat uproot an entire plant? It is always something new to bring me in the moment.
2- Focus on your meals
It is so easy to speed through your meals, or do other desk work while stuffing food in your mouth. Of course there are days that this can't be avoided, but we should not make this a habit. Again, this is directly inspired by Mukarram. He first was able to fit mindfulness into his life by focusing on his meals from the prep to the clean up. Food is also a great way to jump start our mindfulness because the taste, smell, texture, sight, weight all can be used. Recall our eating meditation exercise here (https://www.bullionite.com/blog/2020/6/16/advanced-guided-meditation-the-five-senses) for more details. Use all your senses to truly enjoy your food and watch your meals start to nourish your mind as well as your body.
3- Spend more time in nature
I have also been a nature lover, but as we grow up and get busy we lose more and more of our time outside. I can't tell you how many spring days I was green with envy as I walked briefly outside only to spend the rest of the day inside staring out the window. Some days are just so beautiful we can't help but notice them, but even on less than ideal days we can find the beauty in being outside. Again there is so much there to stimulate you that it is hard to not be mindful.
4- Create something
Nothing brings us in the moment more than creating something. Be it a party or a meal, maybe it is the link to Divine, but when we create something literal magic happens. I think it is because the more complicated it is, the more we have to be in the moment. If you are distracted you might mismeasure or miscut, forcing you to repeat your task until you get it right. It is a hard lesson sometimes, but it forces you to become present in the moment. The next time you even do something as simple as make a cup of coffee, remember this task and try to be present. Smell the coffee beans, feel the texture of the grinds pressing into the filter, watch your cup slowly fill, be here now.
5- Focus on one thing at a time
While each of these habits have the bottom line of focusing on one thing at a time, we can simply use this rule for all aspects of our lives. In the modern age we are pressured to multi-task throughout the day but research suggests that not only do we not multi-task truly, we also do not even do the tasks we multitask well at all. Besides not doing your best work, multi tasking is stressful and pulls you into the tunnel vision of task completion until you forget where and who you are. It is easy to let this lifestyle choice take us over, but instead we suggest that you do each task purposefully and solely. This is a challenging one for me because I am always juggling so much but I can attest that when I actually give myself permission to move with intention and perhaps not finish the To-Do list of the day, not only am I much more successful with my tasks, I am also much more at peace in my mind.
By utilizing these five tips you will not only find time in a busy schedule for mindfulness, but you will reap the rewards of mindfulness practice without having to dedicate a big time chunk to meditation. Hopefully as you see the positive benefits in your life you will continue to aspire and grow your practice. Reach out to us at info@bullionite.com with your comments and questions.