Mind the Gap

I love this iconic phrase used by the London tube system to caution the passengers about the gap between the train and the platform while boarding the train to avoid anything falling down the gap or getting stuck in between.

When you start thinking about it, all it is asking you to do is be mindful, be in the moment while boarding the train and not be distracted with checking your phone, or trying to fold your umbrella while boarding, or not be immersed in your book. We as humans have that constant itch to be at 20 places at one time mentally and end up not being mindful of the present situation we are in.

What is mindfulness all about? It certainly is the buzz word that I have been listening to for a while. My yoga instructor's favourite phrase has been "Be Mindful"... "Don't let your thoughts wander… Even if they do, it is ok… get them back and set your intention for class"... and when doing those topsy turvy and twisted postures she would tell us to focus at one point and that sure helped me from tripping down!

I sat down for a chat with her one of the days and while sipping green tea we started on this discussion of what mindfulness is and why she is constantly asking us to be mindful.

Mindfulness is all about being aware and being fully present with our mind and body. Be aware of what we are doing and where we are. Most of the times, our thoughts travel faster than the speed of light. So while I am trying a downward dog posture in class, I should focus on the posture and not wonder — Oh God! I forgot to respond to the e-mail, or — how is the person in front of me able to hold the posture so well!

What I have realized is once we let that thought in, it starts a chain reaction in our minds and while our body is trying to do yoga, in reality we are not doing yoga.

Mindfulness is not about emptying your mind. It is about noticing when your mind has wandered, and gently — without judgment — bringing it back. Like a loving parent with a curious child.

Mind the gap. The gap between where you are and where your mind has run off to. That gap is where life is actually happening.