Creating a shift

A monk told me that they practice a discipline of doing one task at a time, slowly, and mindfully. To help me adopt this practice, the monk suggested to me that before I enter a new activity, to stop at the doorway, put my hands together in a prayer position and bow. While bowing at the doorway, mindfully drop all expectations-good or bad, and enter the activity with a clear and neutral mind. Also, be curious. 

I tried this technique for a few days to get myself to slow down and give each activity my undivided attention. Remembering to be curious, I had an open mind about activities and tasks that I once thought were mundane. I gained an appreciation and noticed that this time, the same task felt a little different than the last time I did it.

Bowing at the doorway and dropping expectations even changed my perspective when I had a daily meeting with a difficult person. Because I entered the meeting with neutral feelings, my interaction with that person changed. It may not have changed their behavior, but my perspective was different. I was curious and open minded about the meeting and their bizarre requests almost seemed funny and easy to fulfill. I was not defensive and I did not take things personally. It was interesting to just observe their behavior. It made the experience more pleasant and full of surprises, strange as they may be.

In dropping expectations, it also changed and augmented my happiness when I was entering a fun activity. I had a finer appreciation when I spent time with friends. I took the time to listen to them during our chats and our time together felt longer.  The good time with my friends seemed to stretch and be fully experienced.

I liked bowing and dropping all expectations before an activity so much that I have done it every day for a year now. I enter every task, whether it's ordinary or something brand new, with a fresh and open mind.

I hope you will try bowing (whether you literally do it or you do it just in your mind) and drop all expectations before an activity to see if it creates a shift in your perspective. I hope you discover how the same activities can feel a little different every time. I hope staying open minded heightens your good experiences too. 

If you try this, please share your experience in the comment box below.