I’ve always said that my children are the best teachers I have in this lifetime. They’ve also taught me about the Art of Mindfulness. The lesson came from my two year old son, Miguelangel, born with Down syndrome.
Perhaps, one of the biggest developmental challenges we’ve faced is speech delay. The challenge has turned into a blessing. Learning to communicate in a powerful and meaningful way without the use of the written or spoken words is a delight.
I must confess that it’s been difficult to adjust to his demands. He truly knows what is like to be fully present. Me on the other hand tend to let my mind go adrift often.
During the past weeks I have been immersed in the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh in the book, The Art of Power. He stresses the importance of expressing our love through mindfulness. I’ve found this practice to be freeing. As I focus on one and only one task or experience at a given time, I make better use of my time and energy. I’m more productive in my business. I feel fulfilled knowing that I’m giving the best of myself to my son right in this moment. I also express my love to him not only with words but connecting at all levels.
Thich Nhat Hanh teachings have been a remarkable source of inspiration to me. I hope that these thoughts inspire you to master the art of mindfulness as well. Here are some highlights about his perspective on love and mindfulness.
- To love means being there for your beloved, recognizing his presence as important
- To be there for him, you have to be there for yourself first
- The practice of mindfulness will help you get deeply in touch with yourself
- Mindful breathing takes you back to the joy, the beauty, the wonders of life, in and around you
- Being in the here and now helps you recognize and transform your suffering
- Developing self-understanding and self-love provides the foundation for understanding and loving another person
- Through the practice of mindful breathing, you bring your mind back to your body, you establish yourself in the here and now, you are fully present, and you can go to your loved one and say the first declaration of love, “Darling, you know, I’m here for you.”
- Only with practice you produce your true presence
- Mindfulness helps us know what is going on in our beloved
Here is the challenge for you, go to your beloved, your partner, a sibling, your child, and express your love in a different way. Hold his or her hands and look into their eyes, and just allow the love to flow through you. Be aware of both, theirs and your own presence in the room. Enjoy the tactile experience of your hands and hearts coming together in a divine embrace, and then say to your beloved, “Darling, you know, I’m here for you.”
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