Practicing Social Mindfulness

Autopilot is now in the OFF position.

This new and widely used term, “practicing social distancing”, is an opportunity, not a punishment or even a “limitation” on ourselves.  Mindfulness is the “practice” of bringing our full awake attention to bear on our moment to moment experience.  It is not something that needs to be confined to a special practice time, rather it is a practice that can be developed anywhere and anytime.  Intentionally bringing our full attention to our immediate experience of the moment has the potential to wake us up more to our deeper selves; the parts of us that are awake, connected to self and others and life at large.  Mindfulness is a practice that has been with us humans for millennia.

With our newest global and personal challenge at hand, we have an opportunity to awaken ourselves as we practice social distancing mindfully.  The brain generally seeks efficiency and makes much of our daily activity unconscious to save energy.  Taking the time to really break our habit of hugging or touching or hand shaking, can bring more alertness into our day and can awaken us to more of life.  The soulful parts of ourselves are often asleep because our habits are so automatic.  Let’s take this opportunity to become more conscious, intentional and choiceful.  Together.  As a larger whole.  Social distancing is not just “for the protection of others”, it also a call to deeper awareness of this moment, the only one we truly have.

One of the possible gifts that may come from this pandemic experience, is the sensitivity to the truth of our interconnection to others of our community, state, country and globe.  This awareness may grow out of our choices and mindfulness of our each and every action, within each moment of every day.

TRY:  Slowing down enough to sense what it is like to track 6ft of distance from a stranger on the street or a friend you may walk with.  Notice if you can be aware of more alertness and aliveness as you work with this new behavior.  Consider infusing other behaviors of daily life with a little more attention to detail….