Our May Guest: Zoom Chat #2: Christine Songco
“Enlightenment is growing all the time. It is not something that happens once and is then complete.”- Thich Nhat Hanh
I am excited to report that we completed our Zoom Chat #2 on May 7, 2021. Guest speaker Christine Songco presented and provided a wealth of information about her mindful, spiritual practices. You can see the replay on my Youtube Page with the following two links:
Part 1: https://youtu.be/T8exkmJxjZw
Part II: https://youtu.be/Os_SVDPHSXg
According to Webster’s definition, mindfulness is the practice of maintaining a nonjudgmental state of heightened or complete awareness of one’s thoughts, emotions, or experiences on a moment-to-moment basis.
Some people say mindfulness while others may use words such as “Being in the zone,” “Self-recollection,” “Slowing down,” “Paying attention,” or “Reflection.”
Studies reported mindful practices can help reduce stress, unpleasant emotions, and an overactive mind with regular exercise. While there are positive benefits of mindful practices, not everyone experiences it as such. Some people have even reported worsening symptoms of stress, fear, panic, and anxiety as a result of mindfulness practices.
If one has never done mindful practices, the brain will fight and find every excuse why it cannot do it. Some challenges are lack of time, inability to sit still, easily distracted, racing mind, no imagination, etc.
Songco discussed the 5 mindfulness training which was derived from the 5 precepts offered by the Buddha. First, reverence for life focuses on the awareness of the suffering caused by the destruction of life. I am committed to cultivating the insight of interbeing and compassion and learning ways to protect the lives of people, animals, plants, and minerals. Second, true happiness, which focuses on the awareness of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing, and oppression, I am committed to practicing generosity in my thinking, speaking, and acting. Third, true love, which focuses on the awareness of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I am committed to cultivating responsibility and learning ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families, and society. Fourth, loving speech and deep listening, which focuses on the awareness of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I am committed to cultivating loving vocabulary and compassionate listening to relieve suffering and to promote reconciliation and peace in myself and among other people, ethnic and religious groups, and nations. Lastly, nourishment and healing, which focuses on the awareness of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am committed to cultivating good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking, and consuming.
She discussed the two types of practice, informal and formal. Practices such as breathing meditation, body scan meditation, raisin meditation, and walking meditation demonstrate formal meditation, encouraging regular exercise to help deepen and hone the mind. Informal practice is more flexible and more straightforward than traditional meditation. You don’t have to set aside time for this. Simply notice when you are present at the moment as you continue your daily activities. You can even turn any of the formal meditations into an informal practice.
In short, mindfulness is becoming a common practice in the workplace and the home. We encourage you to see what works for you and try for at least 21 days. It takes the brain at least 21 days to develop a habit, and thus, practice makes perfect.
Until next month, I wish you all the best in May of 2021.
Cheers.