Awareness,mindfulness and running.

Over the last few years I have been trying to incorporate awareness into my running, with delightful results. Problem is, the mind can be weak and I slip back into patterns that make it tough to achieve goals for myself. Listening to my body and how I breathe while running takes some getting used to with all of the distractions around me. Running at night does help some with less traffic and distractions but a needed and heightened sense of awareness to dangers and my body both.

I used to run in the mornings most of the time but am starting to switch to night time runs. Unfortunately this wires me up and I get to sleep a LOT later than usual, sometimes after midnight. THAT is not the way I have been most of my life, usually going to bed at ten and up near 4:30am or so. Anyway...I digress. Back to awareness.

  Training the mind to be aware of living in the moment is tough for most in Western societies due to the pressures of commercialism,business and lack of meditative qualities. Over the last twenty to thirty years, training in mindfulness and awareness has increased to the point that many become "enlightened" to new ways of harnessing the brains capacity to shed negativity,enjoying the time we live in and to deal with pressures of everyday life. Many teachers in this abound but I find that Jon Kabat Zinn has made an impact on my own life in this regard.

His book "Coming to our senses" really stresses how we can be aware of everything we do ALL THE TIME!!

We let so much pass us by everyday, tied to work,family,the stupid smartphone and other electronic devices. Why not savour everything we have and enjoy?!.Yes, I have my own stupid electronic device too. But...I can give them up in a heart beat!! I'm not a slave to them. This is where awareness and running can work wonders together. When I run, I'm aware of EVERYTHING possible while doing so. An increased sense of smell, direction,feeling,manual dexterity and hearing all play a role in making every step and breath THAT much more enjoyable. I;m not looking at a goal of this many miles or that time achieved. I don't concentrate like I did before nor look at my watch as much.
  My awareness finds joy in the small as well as larger functions to be enjoyable. Being mindful of the privilege I have of running and that at age 46 I CAN run and feel this good does indeed make me a lucky man!!!!

      As I meditate more,open my mind and search it for better ways to live and feel good, the journey taken improves. Every day gets better,whether I have money or not. Whether I have good health or not. These things are all transitory and don't contribute to the moment as much as one might think. Shed those thoughts and negativity goes with it.

  Yes, this was a change from the normal blog posts but I wanted to share it and provide a bit of background as to why life has been so very good the last few years. Leaving my former religious group as well as the various declarations of my orientation,state of mind,love for others and change in relationships has provided a stable stepping stone to a less complicated and more fruitful life.

   Thank goodness it arrived at a young age and NOT when close to departing this world.  :-)