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World Meditation Day, a global call for inner peace falls on the 21st May following the tradition of May being the Meditation Month.

Imagine millions of people meditating together, a silent symphony of focused minds. This collective energy amplifies our practice, fostering a sense of deep connection and a unified shared purpose, we become part of a wave of peace washing over the world. An unbounded ocean of pure consciousness.

By harnessing the collective energy of millions meditating together, we can cultivate profound inner change and radiate it outwards for the benefit of all beings – how beautiful is that, to be part of the universal healing.

World Meditation Day is a springboard rather than a one time event and as we integrate the practices of mindfulness into our daily life, we contribute compassion and peace to the world. Celebrating the power within each of us, and together radiating a collective light of mindfulness.

The 7 attitudes of Mindfulness practiced daily with intention and awareness, equip us to navigate the journey towards a more present and fulfilling life. Jon Kabat-Zinn defines mindfulness as ” awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally”. It’s about being fully present in whatever the experience is, without getting caught up in thoughts or emotions.

1.Non Judging:

We live in a world overflowing with judgements. We judge ourselves, we judge others, we judge things, even the weather! The practice of non-judging is a powerful antidote. Non-judging isn’t about becoming indifferent or passive, it’s about observing the experience without labeling it “good” or “bad”. Constant judging, clouds our perception and fuels negativity and self-criticism. Non-judging creates space for self compassion and acceptance.

2. Patience:

Understanding that progress takes time. Impatience is a breeding ground for anxiety, accepting the natural flow of life lends resilience to our lives. Patience allows us to listen attentively and respond thoughtfully. With patience we can learn to grow without the harsh critic within. It takes time for the seeds we plant to bloom.

3. Beginner’s Mind:

Approach each moment with fresh curiosity. Life can become so routine, rushing through the days on autopilot, barely registering the details around us. The morning coffee, the walk or drive to work even the faces of loved ones- it all blurs together and this where the conept of a “beginner’s mind” comes in. In Zen Buddhism, this is called “Shoshin”, it is the practice of apprching every experience with openess and curiosity, as if for the first time, with eyes wide open and senses fully engaged- that is the essence of the “beginner’s mind”. When we see things through fresh eyes daily and moment by moment, the world becomes a playground for creativity. Engage with your senses of noticing the textures beneath your feet, the symphony of sounds, ask questions and approach situations with a genuine desire to learn and experience a whole new world unfold.

4. Acceptance:

Embrace the experiences, pleasant or unpleasant. Acceptance does not mean passive resignation or pretending everything is perfect, but rather about acknowledging what is, with all its imperfections and without judgement. It is about taking that deep breath and saying ” This is the reality, and that’s okay”. We often spend energy on resisting what is, trying to fight negative emotions, controlling situations or dwelling on past regrets and this creates inner turmoil, preventing us from moving forward. When we accept “what is”, we let go of the struggle.

5. Letting Go:

We cannot control all the outcomes of life’s challenges, and by practicing letting go of what we cannot control we let go of rigid expectations and open the door to new and unexpected opportunities and solutions. We become more present to the present and invite creativity and new ideas. Clinging to the past, worrying about the future or trying to force a desired outcome creates unneccesary suffering. Releasing the need to control is like putting down that heavy suitcase.Letting go is about choosing where to invest your energy.

6. Non Striving:

Our world glorifies achievements, and there is this contant pressure to “get ahead”. We are bombarded with messages that equate self-worth with striving . Non-striving invites us to find peace in simply “being” rather than contantly “doing”. Non- strivng isn’t about laziness or abandoning goals, but rather about letting go of the relentless pursuit of outcomes and embracing the journey itself, even if it is not perfect. It allows us to savour the present moment, cultivate gratitude for the little things and appreciate the journey of life.

7. Trust:

This is the anchor in the stormy seas of mindfulness. Mindfulness is often painted as a practice of serene meditation and inner calm – but life throws us curveballs, unexpected challenges, moments of doubts and anxieties and this is where the often overlooked attitude of trust comes in. Mindful trust is not the same as blind faith, it is not about ignoring the red flags but rather about trusting your intuition, your gut feeling, the wisdom gained through self -awareness. Cultivating mindful trust would be paying attention to your body’s signals, your breath and your emotional state without judgement. Trusting yourself includes trusting your ability to learn and grow from your mistakes.

In essence, the 7 attitudes of mindfulness are about cultivating a toolbox of mental attitudes that can help us navigate the complexities of life allowing us to experice life with greater clarity, greater kindness and greater resilience. And so as we appraoch World Meditation Day on the 21st of May, and engage in the tools of mindfullness, we can all become part of the catalyst for change towards a World of Peace.

From my heart to yours

Alex