Sunday Reset
Walk Slowly
It only takes a reminder to breathe,
a moment to be still, and just like that,
something in me settles, softens, makes
space for imperfection. The harsh voice
of judgment drops to a whisper and I
remember again that life isn’t a relay
race; that we will all cross the finish
line; that waking up to life is what we
were born for. As many times as I forget,
catch myself charging forward
without even knowing where I’m going,
that many times I can make the choice
to stop, to breathe, and be, and walk
slowly into the mystery.
- Danna Faulds
Happy Sunday!
I hope this email offers a moment of delight, as we're always delighted to see and hear from you!
I'm curious, are there any parts of this poem that resonate with you? I'm particularly drawn to the line, “as many times as I forget, catch myself charging forward without even knowing where I'm going, that many times I can make the choice to stop, to breath, and be..”
Mind wandering, thanks to the brain's default mode network (DMN), is when we mentally time-travel. Mentally charging forward into upcoming events, to-do lists, and creating all sorts of imagined scenarios, both wonderful and challenging. The mind also wanders to the past, reflecting and ruminating on events no longer within our control. Mind wandering typically happens when we're not directing our attention on something specific, and that's where meditation is helpful.
When we deliberately direct our attention for a sustained amount of time we shift out of the DMN and curtail the mind wandering. For example, when we rest our attention on the in and out of the breath, we bring our attention back to the present moment experience.
Below, check out a fun video clip through Big Think with Dan Harris talking about meditation and the default mode network! We always enjoy a daily dose of Dan!! :)
Below you'll also find a recorded breathing meditation
by CMP co-founder, Michelle S.
Give it a try and let us know how it goes.
Feel free to email us with your reflections.