Everyday Mindfulness

I find that if I have to do daily activities quickly, it feels as if I'm not getting as much 'mindful benefit' (sorry, couldn't think of a better phrase) as when I do them more slowly and purposely.

Can 3 minute mindful showers, say when you're running a little late, become as beneficial as 10 minute mindful showers, with practice?

It's a tricky question to answer because I think the place you're coming from is slightly askew. If your objective is to completely capture the shower - the movement of your body as you shower, the warmth, the feel of the water, etc. - then a longer shower would naturally be more beneficial as it will give you greater scope to explore the experience of the shower.

However, the objective of mindfulness is not to explore showers, it is to capture what is. If speed is what you're doing, then be mindful of the speed. Showers are nice things to be mindful of, but if you've shaved 7 minutes of your shower, simply notice what it's like to have a shower in 3 minutes then be mindful of jumping out into a cold bathroom and rushing your clothes on in the next 7.

The object of mindfulness is not so important, it is the intention, action and attitude that count.

However, as I said, showers are nice things to be mindful of, so if you can have a longer one to allow yourself to be mindful of it, then by all means feel free. Try not to worry about whether what you're doing is right or not, just go with the flow and let your practice be what it is

I see where you are coming from Nice Fish, does it almost feel like you want the 3 minutes to "go faster" so that you can get on with whatever you need to do next? When I've felt like that I have found that consciously saying to myself that "this is my 3 minutes, I can't change the speed of time, just relax and enjoy it" (or something along those lines). It's not perfect, but I've found it can help.

Good luck.

Mark

If you're spending those 3 mins really being in the present moment, experiencing the shower and enjoying the sensations, does it matter how long the shower is? If on the other hand you're spending those 3 mins worrying about what you've got to do or whether you'll miss your train, your mind is off somewhere else, and you're not being mindful of the present moment.

Likewise a sitting meditation, Mark Williams has a great 3 min meditation - if you can drop into the present moment and stay with the present experience of your senses for 3 mins, this can be as 'good' as a 30 min meditation in which you spend most of the time worrying about the other things you think you should be doing.

I suffer from constantly trying to get through things I have to do, feeling tense and rushed and trying to get to the stage where I can relax. I have to constantly remind myself that its better to relax now and do whatever I'm doing now well and enjoy doing it and stop worrying about the things still to be done. Thích Nhất Hạnh teaches: "breathe, smile and go slowly" which I think is a lovely way to try to live your life.

Steve

HI Mark,

Not so much, I want it go slower if anything so I can practice being mindful of what is rather than saying to myself "warm water, washing arms, bugger I haven't ironed my shirt yet, damn it I've lost track, back to being the present moment, wash hair, clean feet etc etc"

I am learning to be more kind to myself. I try to repeat "Mindfulness is awareness. The awareness of paying attention, on purpose, to the present moment, non judgmentally and with huge self compassion" as often as I remember it. Loudly too if no one is in the house. Neighbours must think I'm a right fruitcake. Who cares!

Good points, Steve. I've been practicing the 3 minute meditation. I've pretty much got the hang of it now i.e. what I need to do hourglass wise. No sure if it could ever be as beneficial as a longer former meditation though. Be great if it could.

Thanks for the advice, guys.

n/t