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A Simple Practice to Reawaken the Mind, Body and Soul
Using sound to reconnect with the fact that you are alive
Our body is here, but our mind is somewhere else — in the past or the future, possessed by anger, frustration, hopes, or dreams.
— Thich Nhat Hanh
Every hour, on the hour, bells chime all over the world. Most people will hear the noise. Some will unconsciously count the chimes. Others might pause without realizing it. The action has a profound effect on your well-being. That sliver of time where you just “be.” The reminder that you “are.”
In Tibetan Buddhism, bells represent wisdom. I was inspired to write this article after reading At Home in the World, a collection of stories and essential teachings by Thich Nhat Hanh. The specific story was called ‘The Bell.’ Thich Nhat Hanh is also known as “the father of mindfulness.”
Mindfulness, or conscious awareness, is the practice of focusing on the present moment. Often while practicing acceptance or non-judgement. I like to think of it as “being” and not “doing.” Or, existing and not thinking. (Though clearing the mind is not actually the goal of mindfulness or meditation.)
Saying “I don’t have time to practice mindfulness” is not wise. And this practice isn’t about finding five or ten minutes. You don’t even need to have a full minute. It’s about finding one moment—a second or more to pause, breathe, and notice. The bell chimes and the mind and body pause. You breathe in and out. Take a moment to observe. Then you continue.
It’s that simple.
There are many benefits associated with mindfulness, both scientifically studied and shared from the practitioner’s personal experiences. I will include some of the key benefits of mindfulness below:
- Reduced stress: Mindfulness can help lower cortisol levels.
- Improved emotional regulation: By bringing awareness to emotional states, we can respond to them in a more balanced way.
- Enhanced cognitive function: Attention, working memory, and executive functioning are improved with regular mindfulness practices.
- Improved physical health: Mindfulness can help reduce chronic pain…
