Mindfulness at the Movies

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Last week I went on a field trip to the AMC Theater at the Loop with some folks from J.O.Y. Wellness to see the movie Walk with Me, a movie about mindfulness.  The movie is a contemplative journey that follows the steps of Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hanh and is a rare insight into life within a monastic community.  I entered the lobby of the theater with only the expectation of seeing and talking to people I know.  That’s it.  I settled into the cozy reclining seat and thought … okay … roll the film.   Let’s see what this is all about.
 
The movie comes out on November 21st of this year and I highly recommend renting it.  Everyone could benefit from viewing this film.  If everyone in the world could practice mindfulness, the world and its inhabitants would experience greater levels of peace.    Isn’t that what we’re all looking for?  Peace in the world and peace within ourselves, right?
 
Peace is within you and you can find it by becoming more mindful of living in your present moment.  You can, if you choose to do so, make everything a meditation of mindfulness.  The present moment is all you ever have.  You don’t have your past and you don’t yet have your future.  All you have is now.  Sadly, many of us live our lives attached to our past and/or by projecting fear and worry out into our future.  Both of these actions take us away from now.  Now is where mindfulness happens.  Now is where you find your guidance, your answers, your peace and your happiness. 
 
I really don’t want to say much of anything about the film because I want you to go into it with little to no expectations as I did.  I want you to view the movie with the intention of being open and receptive to the messages that are given and the message(s) you receive.  I will say however that the movie brought me to new levels of awareness about myself, my life and the path I currently walk upon.  Without spoiling the film I can share with you one of the practices of the monks who live in Plum Village.  Every 15 minutes a bell rings and at that moment everyone gets still and quiet.  The bell is a reminder to bring awareness to the present moment.  This really struck a chord with me.  (Pun intended)  It was an “aha” moment - a lightbulb over my head if you will.   
 
The movie Walk With Me teaches us to slow down and breathe and this is the message I want to continue to share.  Even during the most mundane of chores, even during the chaos of any given day, we can find peace.  We do this by suspending all activity and by getting quiet, even if just for a minute or two.  This can be a challenge for many of us given the fact we love to talk and there is always an electronic device within reach. 
 
I’ve been talking with Jennifer Williams, owner of J.O.Y. Wellness, about ideas of how to bring more mindfulness into the studio and boutique.  I feel this is a strong pull for me.  I’ve already introduced the sound of a bell into the classes I teach and I’m really interested in creating new classes with a main focus on silence, meditation and mindfulness.   I am super-excited about what the futures holds for me both personally and professionally and I’m excited about becoming more mindful with the people in my life. 
 
Check out Walk With Me and keep an eye out for upcoming events at J.O.Y. Wellness.   Join me in living a more mindful life!