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[Edwin]

Originally Posted by pollyanna

If you need a reminder to do this you could play C.D. 4 of Discover meditation. It plays 5, 10 and 20 minute slots of silence for meditation and then tinkling bells at the end of each of these. When the tinkling bells play you could use them as a reminder to check where your thoughts are, and if they are elsewhere you can bring them back to the present. I wish you happiness and joy on your journey of self discovery

That is a great idea !

Thich Nhat Hanh, who has a retreat in France, does the same, if you are there and you are doing something, or talking to someone, when the bell rings on the premises of the retreat, everybody stops what they are doing for about 3 counts, they breathe in and out deeply, and focus on their thoughts.

It is the first big step to mindfullness.

He also tells people to do the same when the phone rings, or when you get a red light in your car. Instead of getting worked up, think of the phone or red light as a friend, reminding you to breathe and not focus on the chatter of the mind !
People will never know that you waited one more ring before answering the phone, and meanwhile you get to totally relax and live in the Now, so you are truly ready to meet the person on the other side of the phone.

Thanks Pollyanna !