Let me ask you: have you recently had a near-life experience? You don’t know what that is? Let me explain:
- A friend tells you about a difficult incidence at work – but your mind flits off to what you need to get at the supermarket.You nod, but your mind is elsewhere.
- You are in the shower and mentally work up your to-do list.
- You’re on a walk but don’t notice your surroundings because you’re fretting about a problem.
Seems familiar?
Most people spend their life distracted or dreaming
That’s having a near-life experience. You’re nearly alive, but not quite. It’s a if you go through your life half asleep or dreaming – like the cat in the image above.
We are only fully alive when our mind, body and heart are undivided. When we are truly present. When we smell the roast coffee and see the clouds scurry overhead. When we listen deeply to what our loved ones are saying. When we stay in one place – without wishing we were elsewhere, or with someone else, or doing something else.
What you can do to feel fully alive: 5 crucial tips
- Listen deeply to others. Tip: open your attention to ambient sounds as well as to the person’s voice – sounds can anchor us in the present moment.
- Notice the ground under your feet. Tip: when you go for a walk, notice how hard, soft, bumpy, or uneven the ground under your feet is.
- Become aware of your breath. Tip: Whenever you feel frazzled, step to the window and take three slow breaths, noticing the breath all the way in…and all the way out.
- Stand up and stretch. Tip: Whenever you get distracted, stand up, stretch your arms up over you head as you breathe in, and then lower your arms as you breathe out.
- Connect with yourself. Tip: Slowy and gently place your dominant hand on your heart area and leave it there for a few moments. This will calm and ground you.
If you get into the habit of using these simple strategies, you’ll fully alive – not nearly alive.
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
…fantastic tips mary… my best one is the number one: pay attention to ambient sounds as well as to the person’s voice – sounds can anchor us in the present moment
thanks
joe guitar´s last blog ..§The Beauty of Music -part 1-
A great little list. In fact, I just did all 5 tips. I used my 8-year-old son to practice the listen deeply part.
Zen Choices´s last blog ..Simple, Creative “Rock Your Goals” Tactic Makes Unappealing Tasks and Stale Goal Setting Strategies Sing
WOw! This was awesome! So simple and to the point!
If had to show an example of what Goodlife Zen is all about, then I would just show them is article! Simply great!
Thank you for sharing these simple and powerful tips. Keep it up, Mary!
Tomas Stonkus´s last blog ..Weekly Update
nice post, the concept is close to conscious living, thankss
I like to exercise to my absolute limit sometimes using Tabata Intervals. That makes you feel fully and truly alive. It feels amazing. Nice post!
Richard | RichardShelmerdine.com´s last blog ..Lessons From a Month of Meditation
Excellent post. So good in fact I re-posted at spiritnewsdaily.com. Love the cat btw.
donovan´s last blog ..Have you had a near-life Experience?
Mary,
So glad I discovered your writing. I, myself, have spent many a year distracted by the world as I sought my place in it. One of the activities that has taught me to stand still and take notice is photography. As I look through the viewfinder, I am “forced” to see what is in front of me. There is a wonderful moment of awe as I capture the image. So much beauty and magnificence. I was once excited to race home and print the image to relive what I had witnessed. Now, I am content to have simply been a witness to what I was so blessed to see. That is when I know I am fully alive.
Thank you for sharing your gift with the world!
Peter
Good to know there is a word for what I am – nearly alive. When I started yoga I found myself thinking about my ‘to do’ list. But through meditation, these distractions slowly have begun to fall into the background. I have practiced points 1, 2 & 3 but never knew about 4 and 5. Will definitely try them. Thanks for the great advice Mary.
Jenny Hones´s last blog ..What is Yin/Yang?