The Path of Mindful Living: Reconnecting to Ourself, Nature and Community

Since time immemorial, the idea of miracles have always fascinated human beings. In stories, myths, life instances, culture, there is a clear urge to attribute something as a ‘miracle’! The question regarding authenticity of those miracles are beyond the scope of our blog and also beyond my understanding to meaningfully answer. But what if this search is pointing to something deeper, something so obvious that we miss it in our daily experience? What if, we are the very miracle we seek? What if the very existence of life and everything around is in itself the miracle we seek? Well that’s just a beautiful way of perceiving the simple yet profound gift of life!

Well this very miracle if we call it that, seems to be covered by a lot of distractions and disconnected narratives that seem to dominate our world today. It can be exhausting for an average human being in our ever competitive world of 2022. From the news warning us of a climate catastrophe to the mountains of fake news spreading hatred, from the reality denying toxic positivity to all the ever increasing instances of violence is all that fills the narrative around us. On the inside, most people struggle with alienation, loneliness etc thanks in part to a generation living in the virtual world. Yet, amidst all of this, the human spirit endures! Small instances of love and compassion continue to give hope! Even as the macro may present a dull picture ( which is at times true and at times largely exaggerated), the beauty of life shines through in small and simple moments. 

So, is it possible to live more mindfully, more connected to oneself, community and nature? And what does that mean to the general state of affairs in the world?  This is an exploration of how we can respect the sacred gift of life in ourself and others, and be an expression of those values in a complex world. 

Reconnecting With Community:

Modern life has subconsciously created a false impression among many that life is purely individualised.  There are many who genuinely believe that it is not necessary to have strong ties with the community and in some extreme cases all sorts of relationships. This whole assumption is misguided, wrong and disastrous! Human beings are social animals, we have evolved in groups and relationships. Most studies of today show that, our very survival as a species was thanks to the ability to mutually cooperate & help each other. It is clear from several research outcomes that a strong community bonding is key to happiness and healthier life too. Most people are searching for a sense of belonging, and many dangerous ideologies rise from the lack of the same. In many ways life is interdependent, something beautifully expressed in Zen teachings as the wisdom of interbeing. (Something much more deeper and beautiful).

Today things are a little more complicated. We sadly live in an age where people are used to eco-chambers where everyone accepts and shares our own opinions. That would never be the case in a larger society and therefore things get difficult when connecting with the larger community. It is absurd that people cannot engage in a conversation far from a relationship with differing opinions.  We have reached a point where friendships are based on shared social/political opinion, people even break family ties based on political leanings! What madness are we dragging ourselves into? It is easy to distort this whole argument by bringing up an extreme example of someone who believes in an extremely dangerous idea, of course you will have to cut ties with that individual. But, the larger point is that in 90% of the cases, that isn’t necessary. It is important to be open to differing ideas, try to see through people’s opinions when connecting with them. Every person holds his/her biases based on their lived experience, therefore do not restrict them to an opinion that they may hold. 

In general, take more time to spend with family, friends, your local community. Be open to engage with their ideas, share laughs, celebrate together etc. It builds bridges, brings people together and breaks biases more effectively than any angry post you maybe putting up on social networks and getting praised by people who share your very opinions. ( By all means continue those posts if you wish to, but engage with people too, it is indeed difficult but beautiful).

In the Indian and many other eastern traditions, all that exists is seen as an expression of one underlying divinity. When viewed through those lens, people are different in their thoughts, feelings etc but the beneath all that, everyone shares the divine being. The great sage of Arunachala Ramana Maharshi was once asked, ‘how to treat others?’ and he simply responded ‘there are no others’! A philosophy that gives us some food for thought isn’t it?

 

Connecting with Ourself:

Zen Masters often say that people work most of the times on auto-pilot mode! Their reactions are not from a point of understanding but merely automatic reactivity. The idea of mindfulness simply means to be aware and take back control. This whole problem has been exacerbated by the age of social media and virtual life in general. Today it has become a common scene that people sitting nearby are engaged on their phones rather than in an actual conversation! Now, let me be clear that I do not subscribe to the view that all of social media is bad and needs to be avoided. Actually, I am someone who is very active on these platforms and believe it is a beautiful tool to stay connected with your family, friends etc. The key word is ‘Tool’, it is a tool and not a substitute for your real life! 

The world indeed has all the vices as we know, it also has love, joy, care etc, now the question is what is it that you will be bringing to the table? Mindfulness simply helps one to be conscious of the same. In connecting with ourself, we take back control and that simple act can bring a profound change in your life, relationships etc. Meditations, nature walks, conscious breathing, yoga etc are tools that help us in bringing more awareness to our daily living. 

We are Nature:

It is very interesting that in our conversations regarding nature, we always seem to consider it as a separate entity from ourselves. In reality, we as human beings are a part of nature. In doing destructive actions towards nature, we are in essence hurting ourselves and not something separate. In a more day-day practical sense, it is important to have a connection to nature in-order to be happy and healthy. No virtual world can replace the nature that supports all that exists including us. Nature is also a source of wisdom. In nature, all kinds of plants and trees coexists, trees of all shapes greet you every day, and they all seem beautiful as they are, don’t they? If that dance of diversity is beautiful for nature, does’t the same apply to human beings? Think on it. 

In Essence:

There are structural problems in our world. Some issues need deep collective action and can take a long time in solving. It makes no sense to deny the problems that exists and therefore the whole premise of toxic positivity is flawed and useless. 

The essence of mindful living is to be more connected to yourself, community & nature whereby meaningfully engaging with the world. Be more present in the now, where you playfully have laughs, moments with loved ones, nourish joy and do whatever is necessary in the world. Of course goofups will be a part of the journey too, ups and downs will keep passing by, but if you are together with your loved ones, the journey becomes the miracle it was always meant to be! 

Leaving you with a beautiful answer by St Augustine on How to live, 

“Love and do what you want”. 

The Revolution of Love Shall Win!

Have a Beautiful Weekend, thanks for reading. Do share it around and feel free to share a feedback.

-Sreesreshta Nair (SN)