Contents
1. Introduction -challenge of this design
2. What is mindfulness? 3. Survey and Assess stages 4. Design |
5. Implementation and Maintenance
|
1. Introduction
Challenge of the design
Overall: can I use Permaculture tools such as the SADIM framework to support and encourage a mindfulness practice?
I’ve decided to use good old SADIM(et) for this design, with enquiry questions framed by Hedvig Murray, as I’m comfortable with it, know what the stages entail and find it effective. The enquiry questions help to define the stages of SADIM more clearly for me.
Why bother being mindful?
1. Simply put, it gives life a special quality that can sometimes be peaceful, at others vivid, or poignant (there must be many of shades of mindfulness).
Dennis Potter when dying of cancer said ‘the nowness of everything is absolutely wondrous, and if only people could see that… there’s no way of telling you, you have to experience it, but the glory of it….’
2. A calm, concentrated state of mind is beneficial not just to me. I am more effective as a person: kinder and more equanimous.
3. It’s also an ongoing spiritual practice of mine – a path that I want to be on that will eventually lead to ‘integration’ which could be likened to resolving a puzzle, temporarily, at least!
4. I don’t think I can lead an ethical life, without a degree of mindfulness being applied. I just won’t know what effect I’m having on myself and others.
5. Mindfulness will help me apply the principles of Permaculture in my life (see 7. Reflection at end of design).
I’ve decided to use good old SADIM(et) for this design, with enquiry questions framed by Hedvig Murray, as I’m comfortable with it, know what the stages entail and find it effective. The enquiry questions help to define the stages of SADIM more clearly for me.
Why bother being mindful?
1. Simply put, it gives life a special quality that can sometimes be peaceful, at others vivid, or poignant (there must be many of shades of mindfulness).
Dennis Potter when dying of cancer said ‘the nowness of everything is absolutely wondrous, and if only people could see that… there’s no way of telling you, you have to experience it, but the glory of it….’
2. A calm, concentrated state of mind is beneficial not just to me. I am more effective as a person: kinder and more equanimous.
3. It’s also an ongoing spiritual practice of mine – a path that I want to be on that will eventually lead to ‘integration’ which could be likened to resolving a puzzle, temporarily, at least!
4. I don’t think I can lead an ethical life, without a degree of mindfulness being applied. I just won’t know what effect I’m having on myself and others.
5. Mindfulness will help me apply the principles of Permaculture in my life (see 7. Reflection at end of design).
2. What is mindfulness?
'In the seen, just the seen' part of a beautiful quote from Buddhist teaching that encapsulates mindfulness for me. (See Appendices Reading and References)
In case that doesn't do it for some people, I brainstormed a few words and hope the result gives the reader some further idea.
Mindfulness can be many things ….. awareness, consciousness, engaging in the present, presence, attention, seeing, noticing, acknowledging, groundedness, openness, paying attention, can even be an expression of love.
And…. remembering to be mindful! (Hence the elephant in the Header above).
(Various sources, See Reading and References)
Thich Nhat Hanh says, ‘Just as sunlight provides the energy for a seed to grow into a plant, mindfulness provides the energy to transform all mental formations – our mind states, which are expressions of seed energies manifested in our mind. Mindfulness energy is like the sun: it has only to radiate its energy to do its work naturally. .... Cultivating mindfulness energy will soothe and calm our negative emotions.’ (From 'Mindful eating, Mindful life' pp 183 – 184)
So if mindfulness is energy, how can I learn to work with that, tap into it and be open to it!?
In case that doesn't do it for some people, I brainstormed a few words and hope the result gives the reader some further idea.
Mindfulness can be many things ….. awareness, consciousness, engaging in the present, presence, attention, seeing, noticing, acknowledging, groundedness, openness, paying attention, can even be an expression of love.
And…. remembering to be mindful! (Hence the elephant in the Header above).
(Various sources, See Reading and References)
Thich Nhat Hanh says, ‘Just as sunlight provides the energy for a seed to grow into a plant, mindfulness provides the energy to transform all mental formations – our mind states, which are expressions of seed energies manifested in our mind. Mindfulness energy is like the sun: it has only to radiate its energy to do its work naturally. .... Cultivating mindfulness energy will soothe and calm our negative emotions.’ (From 'Mindful eating, Mindful life' pp 183 – 184)
So if mindfulness is energy, how can I learn to work with that, tap into it and be open to it!?
3. Survey and Assess
I clarified my understand of the Four foundations of mindfulness I had learnt over the years by drawing the diagram below. Mindfulness can be chopped up into four spheres, to make it easier to scrutinise. These are the Four Foundations of mindfulness framework from Sattipatthana Sutta (see appendix point 1 for more info)
I I used the four foundations to help me with the survey stage.
Each sphere has a colour - green for body awareness, pink for feelings, blue for thoughts and emotions and yellow for Reality. So I've colour coded the four headings to separate out these spheres.
SURVEY What is there?
Body - Loss of connection with body and breath when focussing on a ‘mental task’. (ie, computer stuff)
Feelings - Loss of contact with primary feelings, - occasional autopilot or worse, sudden jadedness !
Thoughts (and emotions)/ Mind - automatically ruminating on stuff that really isn’t interesting or productive
Ie, a pop song I overheard. (Mind getting dragged allover the place!)
Reality - Forgetting overall purpose, general feeling of carefully arranged skittles having been knocked down /disarray !
Each sphere has a colour - green for body awareness, pink for feelings, blue for thoughts and emotions and yellow for Reality. So I've colour coded the four headings to separate out these spheres.
SURVEY What is there?
Body - Loss of connection with body and breath when focussing on a ‘mental task’. (ie, computer stuff)
Feelings - Loss of contact with primary feelings, - occasional autopilot or worse, sudden jadedness !
Thoughts (and emotions)/ Mind - automatically ruminating on stuff that really isn’t interesting or productive
Ie, a pop song I overheard. (Mind getting dragged allover the place!)
Reality - Forgetting overall purpose, general feeling of carefully arranged skittles having been knocked down /disarray !
What is wanted?
Apart from making use of Permaculture tools and theory to support and encourage a mindfulness practice (see Aims in 1. Challenge of this design above)
1. To feel grounded and energized by the breath
A sense of connectedness with feelings, non-judgmentally2. A sense of connectedness with feelings, non-judgmentally
To be able to gather myself and focus.To remember to be mindful!To remember why be mindful!o keep hold the thread running through my life and to be able to do the’ next right thing’2To keep hold the thread running through my life and to be able to do the’ next right thing’2 ASSESS Attach values and meaning to that DESIGN Identify elements DESIGN Make Beneficial connections IMPLEMENT Make it happen with minimum change MAINTAIN Keep it happening with minimum effort keep hold the thread running through my life and to be able to do the’ next right thing3. To keep hold of thread running through life and to 'do the next right thing' (See Appendix Explanatory notes 2)
4. To remember to be mindful!
Apart from making use of Permaculture tools and theory to support and encourage a mindfulness practice (see Aims in 1. Challenge of this design above)
1. To feel grounded and energized by the breath
A sense of connectedness with feelings, non-judgmentally2. A sense of connectedness with feelings, non-judgmentally
To be able to gather myself and focus.To remember to be mindful!To remember why be mindful!o keep hold the thread running through my life and to be able to do the’ next right thing’2To keep hold the thread running through my life and to be able to do the’ next right thing’2 ASSESS Attach values and meaning to that DESIGN Identify elements DESIGN Make Beneficial connections IMPLEMENT Make it happen with minimum change MAINTAIN Keep it happening with minimum effort keep hold the thread running through my life and to be able to do the’ next right thing3. To keep hold of thread running through life and to 'do the next right thing' (See Appendix Explanatory notes 2)
4. To remember to be mindful!
ASSESS -
Attach values and meaning to that
I am spending more time ‘in my head’ and not listening to body
Rushing and busyness may be causing above-mentioned feeling of disarray so I need to address that
This might be result of too much unwanted input, or not enough calming activity
3 Rs - I might need to design in these - Reviewing/reflect/remind How do I connect with my inspiration…? Review why I am doing things, before and after.
People often use the 4 reminders 3 (see Appendices - Explanatory notes 3) to remind selves of Reality.
They are:
Gratitude for precious human birth, inescapability of death, consequences of our actions (Karma) and our potential to respond to suffering compassionately.
4. DESIGN
Identify elements
Ways of getting into the body-
|
|
Processing experiences for clarity of thought
|
Reconnecting with inspiration
|
Make beneficial connections
5. Implement - make it happen with minimum change
Implementing this design ‘with minimum change’ will a be a
challenge as my days still feel quite full. So have targeted the easiest to
achieve and ones that seem to have multiple functions and integrated them into
my routine.
I have put just one element in each column to start with - I can review later whether these work or need to be added to/amended.
I am going to take part in an Urban Retreat from 18th to 25th October so integrate these resolves into the retreat. 7 See Explanatory footnotes
I have put just one element in each column to start with - I can review later whether these work or need to be added to/amended.
I am going to take part in an Urban Retreat from 18th to 25th October so integrate these resolves into the retreat. 7 See Explanatory footnotes
Getting into the body
Mindful swim once a week. One of the most effective ways of doing this is for me is swimming – after about 20 mins I felt as if I’ve got into rhythm with breathing. I don’t have a regular swim time anymore but can reinstate the swimming date I used to have with boyfriend (Weds morn?). Allowing thoughts to settle (Again, morning meditation is unbeatable for this and MPPs also fulfil this function but to make sure (!) ) I could also do a mindful walk. There isn’t a walk I do everyday anymore though the most frequent is to the train station (or simply to the front door via the stairs). Put post it note on front door and at top of stairs (walk mindfully down them). |
Getting in touch with feelings, (how am I?) MPPs Apart from usual morning meditation practice, which is already part of my routine, I can do timed writing (MPPs) ten minutes only while I am waiting for something to cook. (So will be around 5pm each day) Reconnect with inspiration A sketchbook with inspirational quotes and slogans. I can spend 20 mins after breakfast each morning/after dinner sketching what is in front of me (usually the garden or some fruit!) in the next page of small sketchbook. Each page has an inspirational slogan or phrase that I can mull over – found in Artist’s Way or from Pema Chodron’s books Sketching also helps thoughts to settle and ideas to arise so fulfils more than one function. See appendices for sketches |
Maintain
keep it happening with minimum effort
Swimming date: Should be easier to maintain with another person involved. is it multifunctional? Exercise plus minduflness - if more functions required, then coffee/walk after swim. (However see 8. Tweak for more on swimming).
Mindful walk
This will be hardest to remember maintain as I do rush about when I’m leaving the house or going somewhere (and I cycle alot) |
Mpps
Keep the Mpps book and pen in kitchen, later transfer any insights into sketch and quote book Sketching
As I enjoy sketching this should be fairly easy to maintain, can take small book anywhere with me. |
Further maintenance idea....
The four forces might be helpful with maintenance: 8 (See Explanatory notes iin Appendices)
Maintain; do what already works until it stops working!
Cultivate: setting aside time for developing mindfulness, ie, a regular meditation time and regular ‘just sit’ time. (The body and subconscious can prepare for these events if they happen at roughly the same time each day , which could make it easier to just drop into).
Prevent: Anticipating when I’ll be most mindless and take steps to avoid that happening.
Eradicate: Can’t really completely eradicate mindlessness unless enlightened but can let go of unhelpful habits and addictions such as bad TV and overfilling diary with things to do!
The four forces might be helpful with maintenance: 8 (See Explanatory notes iin Appendices)
Maintain; do what already works until it stops working!
Cultivate: setting aside time for developing mindfulness, ie, a regular meditation time and regular ‘just sit’ time. (The body and subconscious can prepare for these events if they happen at roughly the same time each day , which could make it easier to just drop into).
Prevent: Anticipating when I’ll be most mindless and take steps to avoid that happening.
Eradicate: Can’t really completely eradicate mindlessness unless enlightened but can let go of unhelpful habits and addictions such as bad TV and overfilling diary with things to do!
6. Evaluation - 1 month later
Body
Mindful Swimming Very effective after 20 mins, though not easy to implement. The second week the pool was shut as pump broken, the third week I had to work,…so hard to keep routine up, pool isn't on my way to anywhere. Mindful walk Yes though find it easy to get distracted if lots of people about. Sketchbook Not especially effective at getting in touch with body MPPs Not especially helpful for body awareness Meditation Depends which kind of meditation I’m doing. Mindfulness of breathing meditation can help me connect with body if done in certain way. (ie, Mindfulness of breathing body) see 1 below Sketchbook Not really whole body Need to remind self to be in body 1. A style of teaching mindfulness of breathing by Paramananda of Triratna Buddhist movement. |
Feelings
Mindful Swimming Was aware of whether I was enjoying swim or not, so yes Mindful walk Up to a point, find this practice v difficult unless I’m walking slowly, but will stick at it. Sketchbook Yes, am aware of feelings of enjoyment or otherwise when sketching MPPs Yes they usually do help get to the bottom of things though need longer than 10 mins Meditation Is a good way of enquiring into ‘feeling tone’ as long as thoughts aren’t too loud. |
Thoughts
Mindful Swimming Yes though can get into unhelpful rumination while swimming if a bit bored. Helps to quieten mind. Mindful walk - See previous column Sketchbook Yes very effective at quietening and focussing the mind, allowing a sense of calm and enjoyment to come in MPPs Yes - again, need longer than 10 mins sometimes Meditation Yes though noticed a lot of thinking about gardening and planning (have I enough time to do practical stuff? ) |
Connecting to inspiration/Mindfulness of Reality
MIndful Swimming Not exactly, though being in positive frame of mind after swim so more open to 'reality'? Mindful walk Not directly but good preparation. Sketchbook Indirectly, though having slogans and quotes as a heading and a focus helps MPPs Is possible for me to remind myself of something important as result of doing these so I would say they worked, yes. Meditation Sometimes! Depends how long I sit for. Helps to read a short text before hand |
I’ve used ‘connection to inspiration’ in the Mindfulness of Reality column as I think they are connected, one leads to other. If I’m in touch with ‘reality’ then I’m inspired to practise mindfulness.
7. Evaluation and reflections
Peer evaluation
(Thank you Liz)
Hi
Ruth,
I enjoyed reading this - it has inspired me to (re)consider daily mindfulness practice.
Here are some thoughts - in no particular order and inspired a bit by the tutor feedback sheet
I enjoyed reading this - it has inspired me to (re)consider daily mindfulness practice.
Here are some thoughts - in no particular order and inspired a bit by the tutor feedback sheet
- SADIM – interesting that you said you used it because you are familiar with it – maybe the next design could be a chance to use one you are less familiar with?
- In the Tweak – do you have any ideas of activities that you might consider to shake up your routine?
- I really like the way you have condensed sadim into a table because it makes it clear and straightforward to read and understand - I think I might use this for future designs ( I had originally put it in table format in Word but it didn't ranslate well to weebly)
- I like the mind map as it demonstrates very clearly beneficial connections and multiple functions/elements
- Are there any other design tools you could have used? You mentioned a couple in the review at the end – what about using patterns or a tool like PMI?
- I like that you have limited yourself to one action in each column a nice ‘small and slow’ approach
- It's a great clear design - and a good demonstration of permaculture helping you to make small modification
Self-evaluation
In response to peer evaluation will use PMI to evaluate own design
PLus
Minus
Interesting
Processes
SADIM - using Hedvigs enquiry questions made SADIM structure much more accessible and natural.
Tools -
Mind Map
I wanted a tool that was flexible, moveable and easy to update so I used a a mind map. Vue was good for this as can be saved and amended.
This sort of design needs ongoing tweaking and refining as certain activitiies become 'old hat' and need refreshing or I need to challenge myself a bit more with new habits.
Progress as a designer
What have I learnt?
1. Using a design framework to improve an area that I want to develop has yielded results. I know a bit more about myself, ie, sketching and writing are helps and swimming pools are not!
2. That mindfulness is really part of any design process, especially the Survey and Observation stages.
3. How to use a mapping tool such as Vue which can be clearer and easier to update than hand-drawn designs
Theory and practice
Applying the Principles of Permaculture to Mindfulness (and applying Mindfulness to the Principles of Permaculture!)
Observe and Interact
I think mindfulness is key to applying this principle. In fact it is observation.
Catch and store energy
The practice of meditation (increased mindfulness) can catch and store energy in a mysterious way. I’m much better equipped for the day when I do meditate.
Obtain a yield
Do I enjoy being mindful? Not always. There are times when I feel very little yield from it – this is probably as a result of some other needs not being met (see Apply self-regulation and accept feedback).
Apply self-regulation and accept feedback
Noticing when I’m not mindful – ie, biting my lips too much, continuing to eat after full, hurried communication, not appreciating – these are all indicators that I need to practice more mindfulness. (These count as feedback and mean I need to put a bit more effort in). If I’m feeling resistance to being mindful, it may be that I need sleep or to take care of health or have some playtime! See also Faishares ethic in iii) below
Use and value renewable resources
Mindfulness is an extremely renewable resource! I can always access it and increase yields as a result.
Use and value diversity
There are many ways to build up a mindful practice: eating, washing up, etc I can try to expand by adding more mindful activities to the day
Design from patterns to details
Mindfulness helps me notice patterns in the first place then I have a framework to from which to work out the details
Use the edges and value the marginal
As in Integrate rather than segregate, I can find out more about myself (things I didn't consciously know) by being mindful, especially with regular meditation.
Produce no waste
If I am mindful of most of my day am not going to waste time and therefore Otain a yield
Integrate rather than segregate
Practising mindfulness especially meditation can allow subconscious parts of our mind to surface and we get a more holistic awareness of ourselves – we can harness those previous hidden energies (also works for previous principle and for ‘The problem is the solution’)
Use small and slow solutions
I have to be patient with myself when trying to develop mindfulness muscle as I have had years of conditioning and habits that have instilled the opposite! Also, increasing mindfulness is not going to happen overnight, is always being refined and expanded upon.
Creatively use and respond to change
I am more likely to respond to change creatively if I’m mindful, rather than reacting to events thoughtlessly. Being mindful of Reality, of which impermanence holds a key role, helps me apply this principle.
The problem is the solution
Things come up that we’d rather not be aware of, however, they may have a silver lining or an important function. I can useful mindfulness (rather than ignoring) to apply this principle.
The yield is limited only by the imagination of the designer
Mindfulness is the yield and theoretically it could grow and grow! (Even after enlightenment, they say!)
Ethics
Earthcare - using mindfulness to observe and appreciate the environment and be better informed to act in a non-harming way.
May lead to inspiration to preserve and protect what we have
Peoplecare Mindfulness entails taking an interest in myself and others equally and often leads to desire to help and heal
Fairshares Mindfulness is a great self-regulation tool and helps to moderate behaviour that would otherwise override this ethic.
Mindfulness helps us to just take what we need (overlaps with peoplecare and earthcare) leaving enough for others,
present and future
In response to peer evaluation will use PMI to evaluate own design
PLus
- Using the columns for SADIM has helped keep the write up concise and coherent, forced me to box sections off rather than rambling and spilling over into different thought paths. (As I said, I later lost the columns due to moving document onto weebly).
I realised some of the references may be unfamiliar to non – Buddhists and have explained using footnotes and in the Appendix.
- This is an area am interested in, so had a opportunity to look more closely, which was beneficial for me
- I've re-realised the importance on 'being in the body'
- This design comes under Permaculture Research Institute category 'Personal Development and Inner Transistion' (see foot of design: Accreditation Criteria)
Minus
- Took a while fiddling about with Vue learning how to get mind map done – and saving as a format could upload. But learn how to use Vue!
Some of the activities, didn't help me to connect with Reality as the Buddha saw it (or what we know of that!) so I would probably need to study or read a good dharma book, explore symbols in order to improve that
- Evaluating how mindful I am.... I don’t think I can exactly, but have recorded experiences as result of new habits in the table above and in Action Learning Journal October 2014. (See Appendices)
I would say mindfulness is something I make an effort to do, not overthink and defiinitely not try to measure! (or else and going to get into ego rather than just being).
Interesting
- unusual topic and design aims, no 'right answers'!
- reading through this design makes me want to practise mindfulness
- Of the four spheres of mindfulness I have learnt that being in the body is primary, the others follow from that. Feelings can be located in the body and thoughts, although they seem ‘further away’ often relate to our feelings.
- I discovered I don't really enjoy swimming indoors in a pool! (See 8. Tweak)
- Being aware of Reality can happen spontaneously if I let it - when I’m still or working at my body’s pace or in nature. However being aware of Reality probably needs a lot of effort from me – an effort to be receptive and to cultivate this awareness by study and group practice to keep inspiration alive. Awareness of Reality leads to wanting to be mindful (for me) so the four areas become a cycle of mindfulness
- Any activity can be a mindfulness practice, if we are present when we are doing it.
Processes
SADIM - using Hedvigs enquiry questions made SADIM structure much more accessible and natural.
Tools -
Mind Map
I wanted a tool that was flexible, moveable and easy to update so I used a a mind map. Vue was good for this as can be saved and amended.
This sort of design needs ongoing tweaking and refining as certain activitiies become 'old hat' and need refreshing or I need to challenge myself a bit more with new habits.
Progress as a designer
What have I learnt?
1. Using a design framework to improve an area that I want to develop has yielded results. I know a bit more about myself, ie, sketching and writing are helps and swimming pools are not!
2. That mindfulness is really part of any design process, especially the Survey and Observation stages.
3. How to use a mapping tool such as Vue which can be clearer and easier to update than hand-drawn designs
Theory and practice
Applying the Principles of Permaculture to Mindfulness (and applying Mindfulness to the Principles of Permaculture!)
Observe and Interact
I think mindfulness is key to applying this principle. In fact it is observation.
Catch and store energy
The practice of meditation (increased mindfulness) can catch and store energy in a mysterious way. I’m much better equipped for the day when I do meditate.
Obtain a yield
Do I enjoy being mindful? Not always. There are times when I feel very little yield from it – this is probably as a result of some other needs not being met (see Apply self-regulation and accept feedback).
Apply self-regulation and accept feedback
Noticing when I’m not mindful – ie, biting my lips too much, continuing to eat after full, hurried communication, not appreciating – these are all indicators that I need to practice more mindfulness. (These count as feedback and mean I need to put a bit more effort in). If I’m feeling resistance to being mindful, it may be that I need sleep or to take care of health or have some playtime! See also Faishares ethic in iii) below
Use and value renewable resources
Mindfulness is an extremely renewable resource! I can always access it and increase yields as a result.
Use and value diversity
There are many ways to build up a mindful practice: eating, washing up, etc I can try to expand by adding more mindful activities to the day
Design from patterns to details
Mindfulness helps me notice patterns in the first place then I have a framework to from which to work out the details
Use the edges and value the marginal
As in Integrate rather than segregate, I can find out more about myself (things I didn't consciously know) by being mindful, especially with regular meditation.
Produce no waste
If I am mindful of most of my day am not going to waste time and therefore Otain a yield
Integrate rather than segregate
Practising mindfulness especially meditation can allow subconscious parts of our mind to surface and we get a more holistic awareness of ourselves – we can harness those previous hidden energies (also works for previous principle and for ‘The problem is the solution’)
Use small and slow solutions
I have to be patient with myself when trying to develop mindfulness muscle as I have had years of conditioning and habits that have instilled the opposite! Also, increasing mindfulness is not going to happen overnight, is always being refined and expanded upon.
Creatively use and respond to change
I am more likely to respond to change creatively if I’m mindful, rather than reacting to events thoughtlessly. Being mindful of Reality, of which impermanence holds a key role, helps me apply this principle.
The problem is the solution
Things come up that we’d rather not be aware of, however, they may have a silver lining or an important function. I can useful mindfulness (rather than ignoring) to apply this principle.
The yield is limited only by the imagination of the designer
Mindfulness is the yield and theoretically it could grow and grow! (Even after enlightenment, they say!)
Ethics
Earthcare - using mindfulness to observe and appreciate the environment and be better informed to act in a non-harming way.
May lead to inspiration to preserve and protect what we have
Peoplecare Mindfulness entails taking an interest in myself and others equally and often leads to desire to help and heal
Fairshares Mindfulness is a great self-regulation tool and helps to moderate behaviour that would otherwise override this ethic.
Mindfulness helps us to just take what we need (overlaps with peoplecare and earthcare) leaving enough for others,
present and future
8. Tweak
What do I need to change if anything?
Could I have used patterns as Liz suggested? The pattern that springs to mind is the scatter pattern or no pattern which feels mindful as it involves being open to whatever is. (As in the Survey stage of desing).
As the routine gets a bit samey, I’ll need to keep finding new ways to be motivated to be mindful. Try new habits for a month then review.
I think I will focus more on activities that lead to body awareness , such as Chi Gung and Yoga though I find the MPPs and sketching enjoyable and useful and they don’t take up much time! I realise I only really like swimming in the sea or outdoor pools and don't have time now to visit pools during the day when they are quieter, so will save swimming for the sea or Serpentine!
It would also be good to find ways to incorporate body mindfulness into everyday activities such as drinking tea, preparing food and speaking!
I could have used Ken Wilber's quandrant theory framework found in Nim R's diploma site, as developing mindfulness does tend to develop the Upper Left quadrant, the 'I' sphere but also needs to be a part of the other three spheres.
Could I have used patterns as Liz suggested? The pattern that springs to mind is the scatter pattern or no pattern which feels mindful as it involves being open to whatever is. (As in the Survey stage of desing).
As the routine gets a bit samey, I’ll need to keep finding new ways to be motivated to be mindful. Try new habits for a month then review.
I think I will focus more on activities that lead to body awareness , such as Chi Gung and Yoga though I find the MPPs and sketching enjoyable and useful and they don’t take up much time! I realise I only really like swimming in the sea or outdoor pools and don't have time now to visit pools during the day when they are quieter, so will save swimming for the sea or Serpentine!
It would also be good to find ways to incorporate body mindfulness into everyday activities such as drinking tea, preparing food and speaking!
I could have used Ken Wilber's quandrant theory framework found in Nim R's diploma site, as developing mindfulness does tend to develop the Upper Left quadrant, the 'I' sphere but also needs to be a part of the other three spheres.
Accreditation criteria met:
2. Actively applying permaculture over a period of at least two years since permaculture design course (PDC).
Permaculture Research Institute Category; Personal development and the Inner transistion
3. Demonstrating design skills: SADIM, mind maps, observation
4. Applying Permaculture in own life - enhancing sustainability through awareness
5. Developing Permaculture practice - reflecting upon effectiveness of this design
2. Actively applying permaculture over a period of at least two years since permaculture design course (PDC).
Permaculture Research Institute Category; Personal development and the Inner transistion
3. Demonstrating design skills: SADIM, mind maps, observation
4. Applying Permaculture in own life - enhancing sustainability through awareness
5. Developing Permaculture practice - reflecting upon effectiveness of this design