A friend wrote
"Thank you for your list of good books. After I'm through editing the book, I can read some of them."
The books referred to are in the blog post for yesterday. https://fearfunandfiloz.blogspot.com/2021/03/great-for-this-spring.html
My post yesterday in "Fear, Fun and Filoz" gave a list of advantages to developing awareness of one's own mind and the thoughts, subject and nature of that mind's focus. Those advantages make developing mindfulness literally life-changing, that is, life-improving.
The statement "I can read some of them" has the sound of willing effort - will soon be ready to read some of those good books. I do recommend them. Whether it is personal nutrition or exercise or enjoying humor, reading and re-reading, just like watching and re-watching, can be fun and nourishing. Getting a second dip, a re-painting, a touch-up coat of inspiration of whatever sort seems attractive and valuable is often the best way to spend some time. So, by all means, read some of those good books.
But don't be fooled. It is easy to develop mindfulness, 5 or 10 minutes at a time. It has to do with you, not books. It is not unknown a desire for more time than just 5 or 10 minutes to develop. After a while, the mental habit of lightly watching over what the mind is up to spreads to all the waking moments. That is the condition of mindfulness, being aware of what is on the mind.
You can practice developing mindfulness while at the time being a devoted Republican or Democrat, a devout Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Jew or any other religion including none. Just about all religions make use of silent concentration on a single attention point. You don't have to use the well-known lotus cross-legged position of sitting. Sit in a chair if you or your legs do better that way. Sit up away from the chair back. Use a smartphone to set a timer for 4 or 5 minutes or so. Just tell Google "set a timer for 5 minutes." Try to concentrate on a single spot you can see. Each time you catch yourself thinking, stop and return to concentrating and attending. Repeat tomorrow. You are on your way to better, richer, fuller living!
