Blue Skies

and

Heavy Bloomer

Watercolor on Black Paper

2021, 12"x 16"

This is a short meditation you do with your eyes open, because we live mostly with our eyes open when we're not sleeping. Look around and feel yourself present in whatever room or space you're in. Then say to yourself silently as you breathe, 'May I meet this moment fully. May I meet it as a friend. May I meet this moment fully. May I meet it as a friend.' Try this for a moment. Keep your gaze open and relaxed. Breathe. I think this is really a synopsis of the meaning of mindfulness: 'May I be open to this moment fully; may I not be in contention with it.' I say this to myself a lot as I go about my life. I often say it as I sit down to meditate, as the beginning of my sitting meditation.

You can do this meditation anytime, anywhere, sitting or standing. In this way, the whole of the day becomes an ongoing mindfulness practice. You can decide in each moment to meet that moment fully, as a friend.

—Sylvia Boorstein