Today’s mindfulness practice is not only about being connected to the present moment. It is about how we get there and are able to remain connected. Shauna Shapiro, a mindfulness researcher and mindfulness teacher, has emphasized in her definition of mindfulness the concept of “kind attention.”
Kind attention is a gentleness with one’s self and others. The Dalai Lama speaks about cultivating warm affection for one’s self and others. Interestingly, kind attention for self is almost essential if one is going to be compassionate to others. Yet, achieving kind attention in our practice and towards ourselves can be elusive.
Today’s mindfulness practice is designed to assist in cultivating an attitude of kind attention. Most of the practice is just learning about mindfulness, practice, and kind attention and then asking you to do one tiny 10 second practice.
Please take a few minutes and listen to this TED Talk by Dr. Shauna Shapiro
Then, simply take a breath, put your hand on your heart and say, Good Morning (and say your name). That’s it…If you believe you could benefit from growing kind attention, begin every morning this way.
Enjoy the weekend.
Michele
