getting close to my first “absolute”
I’ve said multiple times that I don’t live in a world of absolutes–what works for one person is not guaranteed to work for another. There are a lot of opinions that become books that suggest a belief is the only way to find happiness or reach a goal. For example, the “don’t follow your passion, find something you’re good at and passion will develop” narrative is one that drives me crazy.
Yes, you can indeed develop a passion by doing something you are good at, but not everyone will; there are many unhappy people doing things they are good at. That narrative is not an absolute, despite how well-known people present it; it’s one of infinite possibilities for aligning your passions with your life.
Despite my disdain for “absolutes,” I might be getting close to having one.
I’ve begun re-reading Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Wherever You Go, There You Are after listening to him on Rick Rubin’s podcast. The book recently turned 30 years old, he’s added some new material to it, and it’s been a couple of years since I’ve read it, so I thought it was a good time to revisit the old and take in the new parts of the book.
My first absolute, not even the alignment of spirit, mind, and body is an absolute, although I strongly believe it is a great alignment to seek for the majority of people, might become that everyone should make time each day to practice mindfulness.
There are so many medical, psychological, social, and neurological studies that support the benefits of mindfulness practice that I am beginning to find it hard to believe that there is a single person for whom mindfulness would not improve the quality of their life.
Not. A. Single. Person.
Meditation is the most common form of mindfulness, but as Kabat-Zinn explains in the book (and in the interview with Rubin) mindfulness can be practiced in different ways. He also explains that meditation does not have to be practiced in the stereotypical seated lotus position; you can meditate lying down, walking, sitting, or standing upside down on your head. Most importantly, meditation is most likely NOT what you think it is.
When I first gave meditation a try, it was a short-lived practice because my mind would not slow down, and since I didn’t have a clear mind, I thought I was doing it wrong and just gave up. It wasn’t until I tried meditation again a couple of years ago that I understood the racing mind is a part of meditation and that every session does not have to end with a quiet mind—sometimes meditation is needed to let those thoughts race and leave the mind.
Once I understood there was no “right” way to meditate, I could stick with it, and my mindfulness practice began to grow and mature.
Meditation is one of the main ways I practice mindfulness, but I’m not willing to make meditation my first “absolute”.
The key is the mindfulness that comes from my meditation…. "mindfulness” is the absolute.
Note: I’ve intentionally avoided defining mindfulness. The Daily Notes are meant to give you something to think about and encourage you to do your research on how you think, feel, believe, etc. I believe mindfulness will become more important to you when you come to your understanding of it, not from what I tell you it is. And truthfully, I’m not knowledgeable enough to teach anyone else about mindfulness—but Jon Kabat-Zinn is and I highly recommend grabbing a copy of Wherever You Go, There You Are. It’s not a coincidence that my meditation practice became stronger after reading it.
See you tomorrow and keep pursuing,
JC
