Immerse in nature

Walks / hikes as a form of meditation

  • breathe
  • connect to your body’s rhythm
  • silence
  • challenge yourself

A still mind

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48792080#48792957

essence of mindfulness meditation that I was taught that I still practice and find useful.

  1. Sit somewhere comfortable. Sitting “cross legged” or with your “back straight” as the guide linked to above advocates is not necessary. A comfortable chair/couch is fine.

  2. The room should preferably be quiet. Though if you have the privilege of access to an outdoor courtyard that’s quiet other than birdsong and chirp of insects, you’ll probably enjoy it more. But a quiet room is good enough.

  3. Phase 1: Set a timer on your watch/phone for 5 mins. Close your eyes. And let your mind wander. Doesn’t matter what your mind drifts towards.

  4. Phase 2: Restart the 5 min timer. Now, try quieten your mind of thoughts and focus instead on just your breathing. Be gentle with yourself. Your mind will wander again and that’s fine. Just gently nudge it back to your breathing.

That’s pretty much it. Slowly, over months try and increase Phase 2 from 5 to 10 mins.