A Mindfulness Day as a Way to Happiness
In mindfulness one is not only restful and happy, but alert and awake. Meditation is not evasion; it is a serene encounter with reality. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
Recently I had the absolute pleasure of spending three days on a silent retreat at the New Camaldoli Hermitage about 20 miles south of Big Sur, California. First off the hermitage was wonderful, simple and good accommodations and food, the brothers were excellent hosts. For three days I was situated on a cliff side above the Pacific Ocean, no phones, no internet, no television or radio reception. Three days of quiet contemplation and reading, time to meditate and just be.
During this period of time I also read one of Thich Nhat Hanh’s book on mindfulness it was a wonderful read. One of the things that really struck home was the idea of a mindfulness day. Contemplating on mindfulness is something I do, but the idea of a full day, once a week, to practice mindfulness was something I hadn’t considered.
The idea is quite simple, setting a day aside with a focus on mindfulness. A quiet day, focused on yourself, your home and garden but all done slowly, mindfully focusing on each moment of this special day. I will be trying this next weekend, I let you know how it goes.
Developing an understanding of the immediacy of life while preparing for the future is one of the very keys to happiness and a way for you to have an absolutely happy day my friends ~ Rev Kane
Other Posts You Might Enjoy!
Happiness and the Benefits of Gratitude
Fear is Killing Your Happiness
The Ministry of Happiness 
Pingback: 10 things you can do to be happier today! | The Ministry of Happiness
Pingback: Happiness and Silence | The Ministry of Happiness
Pingback: Happiness & Living | The Ministry of Happiness
Pingback: Happiness and the Pace of Life | The Ministry of Happiness
Ive been doing this since the start of the year once a week. I call it Mindful Monday. I do my best to be mindful everyday but I make exception to be extra mindful on a Monday. Extra reminders and extra pauses. Longer meditations perhaps. Eating slowly. Sometimes my wife thinks there is something wrong with my food! Not easy, but worth a try. I find the pace of life going by faster and days go by in flash. I am using mindfulness to help slow things down a bit, and Mondays are the biggest part.
Excellent comment Ian and a really great suggestion, thanks for posting ~ Rev Kane
Pingback: Holiday Happiness: Overcoming Worry | The Ministry of Happiness
Pingback: Holiday Happiness: Resources for Being Mindful | The Ministry of Happiness
Pingback: Happiness is Continuous Improvement | The Ministry of Happiness