"May the Force (of Mindfulness) be with you."

Hello Sweet Lovelies, I have a beautiful day off and of course, first up, writing. Lately, I've really been digging Thich Nhat Hanh. When he speaks, the Inner Constellation metaphors flow out of his mouth, my jaw drops and I'm more in touch with my inner truth. Initially, too, I have to admit, I was drawn to him because he reminded me of my absolute favorite character when I was a kid, Yoda. Seeing as Thich Nhat Hanh  is Zen (and maybe even Yoda!), he will not mind my reference one iota.

Mindfulness is something discussed much in Thich Nhat Hanh's engaged Buddhism practices, and I've been giving this concept much deserved attention, attempting to define it for myself and take it from the abstract into the concrete. What does it mean to live mindfully, to be with my clients mindfully? First on the brainstorm list was, "It's like getting in touch with The Force." Thank you, Yoda; however, diving a bit deeper, I came up with a poem. Enjoy, and may the Force (of Mindfulness) be with you....

Mindfulness

©2014 Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com

Beloved breath—
lifeline, precious nourishment,
are you thready, shallow, below the surface
or even, full, long,
rhythmically leading the orchestra of my body?

Beloved body—
vehicle of movement, constant regenerator,
are you aching, strained, yearning for notice
or fresh, rooted, poised,
cradling my attention while alerting me to feelings?

Beloved feelings—
carriers of information, heart at my center,
are you heavy, uneasy, lonely at the core
or peaceful, happy, brimming,
overflowing a joyful steady nectar that sweetens minds?

Beloved mind—
that to which I give attention, creator of my reality,
are you regretting the past, grasping future, chattering like a monkey
or still, reflective, expansive,
acknowledging the ever-present wonders of life?

Breath, body, feelings, mind—I am here.
In this precise moment of transformation, I dwell.