RESOURCE : MINDFULNESS METAPHOR / IMAGE
I observe myself… Just notice my breathing at this moment.
While I am conscious of my breathing, various memories, thoughts and feelings come up in my mind and I become aware of them… I realize that I have forgotten to breathe…
It is ok… it is ok… that is also human nature … human system … so it is ok.
Let’s see… just notice the memory, the thought, or the feeling… and practice to just see them like the cloud floating in the sky or like the view out the window that you see when you are in a vehicle.
Then return to my breathing…
Let’s count my breaths. Inhale and exhale breaths.
Even if I try to stay with my breath while counting, I quickly become distracted and forget to count.
Just notice how powerfully memories, thoughts, and feelings attract me.
It is ok… just don’t chase them, don’t dig them up, don’t expand them.
Just be aware of their presence and return to my breath again and restart to count my breath.
Even if my attention wanders, I can go back.
Just be with my breath and keep observing me as I drift away.
by Yukari Makino