The first step of our journey is mindfulness.
Many people confuse the word mindfulness with thinking. It’s actually quite the opposite. Mindfulness is bringing full awareness and attention to what is occurring (physically, mentally, emotionally). This form of introspection often taps into one’s heart, literally from a breathing and heart rate perspective to also an emphatetic observer perspective. This link of mind to heart is a listening technique. A quiet source where wisdom is plentiful and clarity is attainable. The mind-heart connection is best represented by Japanese calligrapher Kazuaki Tanahashi – famous artist, Zen teacher, and translator of Buddhist texts, who illustrates that the word mindfulness is comprised from two Japanese characters. One being the mind and other the heart. They are not viewed as separate.
Mindfulness (or the Japanese word nen) is represented in the side image with two elements. Sitting like a roof peak or a mountain is the top character which means presence, now, today, this moment. Under the peak is shin which is translated to heart and/or mind. The combination of these characters highlights that heart and mind are one, together, in this moment, fully aware.
Science continues to point out the benefits of quieting our minds, unplugging from technology, and taking a breath to slow down. The qualities of quieting a mind bring upon us more clarity, more attention, more wisdom, and focus. This naturally opens our heart to warmth, more empathy, more Qi (energy flow). What is the end result? The result is you lead a life rooted in compassion , which is a delicate balance of a quiet mind and an open heart.