Mindfulness and Contemplation: Celebrating Navel-Gazing
There's been a lot of talk about navels in our house lately. You
see, my youngest daughter is asking to get hers pierced, and we
are saying no--for now. So, naturally, I have been noticing
navels more than usual.
The term "navel-gazing" means indulgent contemplation, and
that's an interesting concept. Is it possible to be indulgent
when it comes to contemplation? Can we get TOO caught up in it?
I'm not too worried about over-contemplation. As long as we are
mindful, we aren't likely to overdo anything. What we CAN overdo
is our insistence upon a certain contemplative practice as our
only hope for greater mindfulness, our tenacious grasping of a
particular style, or our adamant belief that mindfulness can or
should be limited in any way.
Frankly, I think we could do with a whole lot more
contemplation, and if contemplating a navel (pierced or
otherwise) inspires mindfulness, it seems we should celebrate
that.
The traditional contemplative practices include a variety of
activities, such as meditation, mindful walking, mindful eating,
yoga, creating art, and writing a journal. But contemplation
comes in all shapes and sizes, and if surfing or raking leaves
or shooting baskets or giving yourself a pedicure helps you tap
into that Wow of Wonder, then focus on THAT.
The good news is that there is no need to add a new activity to
your to-do list. You are already doing many activities that,
with intention, can become perfect twigs on that Tree of
Contemplative Practices.
Nothing woo-woo is required here. Think about everyday
opportunities for greater awareness. What are your own little
moments of fascination or centering? Seemingly mundane
tasks--scrubbing the tub, washing the car, setting the
table--are full of possibilities for contemplation.
Be creative with this use-what-you-have approach to mindfulness!
Don't feel pressure to adopt a traditional contemplative
practice if cleaning your horse's stall or pulling weeds helps
you tap into that inner wisdom.
In fact, I'd say that those who use everyday activities as
opportunities for greater mindfulness are far more likely to
find moments of quiet awareness on a daily basis than those who
view contemplative practices as a unique category of
experiences.
It's not the activity, it's the intention. Zero in on that.
Choose to pay attention, and you've got yourself some mobile
mindfulness that you can take with you wherever you go.
Sort of like your navel.