What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the practice of meditative awareness in anything that we do, which could certainly include Masonic rituals and ceremonies.

Here is an excerpt from
The Miracle of Mindfulness, by Thich Nhat Hanh.

We can't sit and meditate all the time. How can we apply mindfulness in our daily lives, say, at work?

Keep your attention focused on the work - be alert and ready to handle ably and intelligently any situation which might arise - this is mindfulness. There is no reason why mindfulness should be different from focusing all one's attention on one's work, to be alert and to be using the best judgment. During the moment one is consulting, resolving, and dealing with whatever arises, a calm heart and self-control are necessary if one is to obtain good results. Anyone can see that. If we are not in control of ourselves but instead let our impatience or anger interfere, then our work is no longer of any value. MINDFULNESS is the miracle by which we master and restore ourselves!

When you are walking along a path, you can (and should) practice mindfulness to experience that path and its surroundings - as opposed to fretting about past events or being anxious about the future. Whether it's sunny or raining, whether the path is wet or dry, you practice mindfulness by keeping this one thought alive: "I'm walking along this path." Keep that one thought, but don't just repeat it like a skipping record; this "machine thinking" is not mindfulness. If we are really engaged in mindfulness while walking along the path, then we will consider the act of each step we take as as infinite wonder, and a joy will open our hearts like a flower, enabling is to enter the world of reality, or living in the present.

Whenever your mind becomes scattered, use your breath as the means to take hold of your mind again.

So the next time you attend a Masonic event, remember to practice mindfulness. Make the event itself a meditation, carefully attending to all the sights, sounds, and movements.  Occupy your mind with the wisdom, strength and beauty embodied in the moment.  Without judgment, be aware of the attitudes and emotions of the other people involved in the event.  Know yourself and all other parts of the event as instruments actually expressing the sacred ideals of Masonry as a living presence in the world, right here and now.  Even if it is something you have done a thousand times, mindfulness will bring a sense of freshness and renewed significance that will not only benefit you, but those around you as well.
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