Precerpt from Pathways to Inner Peace (Dreher) - Taking a Mindful Moment

Precerpt (excerpt prior to publication) from Pathways to Inner Peace by Diane Dreher, currently available on pre-order. TAKING A MINDFUL MOMENT WEEK 1, DAY 2 We’ll begin this week’s practices by mindfully bringing our attention to the present moment. Mindfulness, according to Jon Kabat-Zinn, “is awareness, cultivated by paying attention in a sustained and particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally” (2012, p. 1). So much of life can pass us by when we are disconnected from the present moment. Becoming mindfully present is simple, but not easy, especially in our Western world that emphasizes external accomplishments and offers so many distractions. The present moment embodies the Taoist concept of wu-wei— being, not doing. When we’re in a state of being, we are present, in touch with our feelings. We’re not distracted, not emotionally numb, not driven by stress or feeling disconnected and alone, but present in this moment, connected t...