BECOME AWARE OF YOUR BREATHING
Nowadays we try to do many things at once making it impossible to relax even when we have free time. Whenever you find yourself in an overwhelming situation, look to your breathing.
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH OTHERS
Relaxation and mindfulness are easier to obtain when you are surrounded by other people.
It is important to relax with a group of people because the concentration and support that comes from within a group can help strengthen your relaxation.
We can’t force ourselves to relax because when we have to try to be mindful that is not authentic mindfulness.
However, when we surround ourselves with other mindful individuals relaxation comes easier.
MAKE MISTAKES
We’re human, we make mistakes, and without making mistakes we can’t learn. Learning from our mistakes is a way to ‘transform garbage into flowers’. Most times mistakes are not made on purpose, but rather due to our own personal faults. Even if we have good intentions our own personal inadequacies can cause others unhappiness. It is important to be mindful of our shortcomings to avoid upsetting others.
HAVE A LAZY DAY
Incorporate a day without any scheduled activities into your calendar. Engage in any activities you love to do.
Hugging should not be made a superficial act with just a pat on the back, but instead a practice of mindfulness.
According to Hanh, the energy of your care and appreciation will penetrate into that person through the act of mindfully hugging each other. He also says that, ‘hugging with mindfulness and concentration can bring reconciliation, healing, understanding, and much happiness.’ Hugging should not be made a superficial act with just a pat on the back, but instead a practice of mindfulness
EMBRACE TRUE LOVE
‘Are we able to make the other person smile?,’ he asks. ‘Are we able to increase their confidence or enthusiasm? If not, how can we say we are in love?’ Trust and confidence are fundamental elements of a relationship.
As Hanh says: ‘To love someone you have to have trust and confidence, but you first have to have trust, respect and confidence in yourself.’
This freedom of speech enables us to gain a deeper understanding of the other person. We can not be best friends with someone we do not understand.
Hanh suggests that we practice listening deeply when a loved one is talking. When we allow the other person to speak freely we may be surprised at what we hear. This freedom of speech enables us to gain a deeper understanding of the other person. We can not be best friends with someone we do not understand
NOURISH YOUR DEEPEST DESIRE
We all have hopes, dreams and aspirations for our lives. We want to be someone and do something.
‘However, if your desire is to possess or to win at all costs, this kind of volition is toxic and will not help your love to grow.’ You may be wondering what exactly your deepest desire is. A loving relationship provides a true home for each other. In Vietnamese the nickname for a person’s life partner is ‘my home’.
For example, when a man asks: ‘Where is your wife?’ the husband responds: ‘My home is at the grocery store.’
Mindful breathing will help you through the stressful situation.
Although having a nice quiet space to sit and be mindful is ideal, know that you can practice mindfulness wherever you are.
You can practice mindfully sitting while you’re on the train or the bus. Instead of thinking about all of your responsibilities and commitments give your mind a break from thinking and take time to release the built up tension in your body with simple breaths, in and out.
