Minimalistic Living and Being in the Present

The blue calmness and chill of a winter morning surround me as I run along a beaten track. It’s too early for heavy traffic – the morning stirrings of an English suburb are still subdued, sleeping gently. The first light is yet to show but the subtle pinks developing in the sky suggest a beautiful sunrise is on its way.

Despite pushing myself on this run, my surroundings bring me an endless sense of peace and stillness. I focus on my breath – in and out – which keeps me gently in the present moment, free from thoughts, worries, or excitement for future projects. Occasionally I switch my attention to the sounds of nature and appreciate its various voices. My mind starts to wander; I begin thinking about our move to South Korea on Sunday, which then leads to other thoughts. I soon catch myself daydreaming and I bring my attention back to my breath, back to the present moment.

Small trails, large roads and quiet streets set the scene in which I meditatively run. As the sky brightens, warm tones of pink and orange kiss the clouds above. For a moment I wish I had my camera and was perched on a rock on the beach. A few seconds later I let that thought go and soak in the beautiful dance of light that welcomes the morning sun. Back in the present, I feel focused, light and unburdened.

As I near the end of my run, my breathing labours, my legs are tired but I feel invigorated. I warm down as I reach my house and stretch awhile. Frost on the ground signals a cold that my body no longer feels. The run has warmed me through. I lean against my car and breath in, enjoying the cool air.

After showering, I make my way into the spare room upstairs. I position myself correctly, set my alarm for 30 minutes, close my eyes and begin meditating, watching the breath – in and out. Time loses its strength as I pass from one unknown state of awareness to another. Before I know it the 30 minutes chime strikes – it seemed more like 10 minutes. I slowly awaken from my meditation and stretch – feeling fresh, calm and energised. I walk downstairs to slowly, and deliberately, prepare myself a green tea which I enjoy in peace before the day begins.

On the days I don’t run, I go to the gym and swim, always with the same goals in mind – to be in the present moment, relaxed and calm, while taking care of my body.

This is my morning routine. For the last 6 weeks I’ve risen early, exercised, meditated and enjoyed a cup of green tea. This simple change in my routine has changed my life in more ways than I can understand or explain. It isn’t simply that I rise early and exercise, it is how I go about these things that has been so powerful. But more than that, I made a dramatic shift in everything I did 6 weeks ago. Meditation has been at the heart of that change, along with simplifying my life in every way possible. I’m de-cluttering my mind, my material possessions and my finances to achieve a stronger sense of freedom. I have to admit that I feel incredible.

If you’re anything like I was a few years ago, you’ll probably think mediation is what mystics, hippies and middle-class women do. However, while studying for my degree in Psychology, I came across a wonderful movement led by top universities, such as Harvard and Oxford, called Positive Psychology. Essentially psychologists realised about 20 years ago that they had little understanding of what happiness was and how to cultivate it. They knew a lot about mental illness and brain functioning but happiness was lost to them. In the end, they did what psychologists rarely do, they turned to people outside of their field for guidance.

And so, conferences and research projects were set in motion by psychologists working alongside the Dalai Lama, of all people, and many experienced meditators. Since then, the research on the benefits of meditation has been phenomenal, forcing psychology to re-write its understanding of essential notions such as brain plasticity. In fact, mediation has become such a powerful tool that even the National Health Service in the UK has made meditation courses freely available for those who are interested.

I’m not going to go into detail about this, but if you’re curious the Huffington Post has some interesting articles on the benefits of meditation.

Wikipedia has an extensive list of research on meditation here: Mediation research.

And here’s a cool little video by the BBC whose own reporter tried out mediation for 8 weeks and later decided to continue it since he gained so much pleasure from it!

My meditation journey started 7 years ago, with a Buddhist monk in Leeds. However, after moving back to Newcastle I lost my daily habit and made excuses for not doing it. I never stopped regretting that. But now, maybe because I’m older, slightly better travelled, wrinklier of skin and with a broader perspective on life, my meditation has taken root in an incredible way and I’m glad I began this life-long journey again.

As for the reasons why I made these changes to my life, well, that was down to a series of rather upsetting events that I feel comfortable enough to write about in tomorrow’s post. I will also document my new journey into an unknown world/community of minimalism and simplicity that I didn’t know existed but which I’m thrilled to be a part of.

This is a journey of happiness, adventure, financial freedom, and absolute simplicity. I let go of many of my possessions four years ago when we first began travelling. Now it’s time to let go of some more, and to continue to live in the moment. I’ll hopefully see you on here tomorrow for part 2 🙂

Part 2 is available here – From Difficulties We Can Find New Paths