Practicing mindfulness can take many forms in daily life, even in the smallest activity. The essence of it is to be fully aware of what is happening right now, in this moment.
Whatever you are doing (like reading my words at this very moment), you are just with each word, with your full presence. You are just reading to read.
When you notice your mind wandering, you simply become aware: “My mind is wandering. I’m thinking of …” and then softly bring your awareness back to the reading.
Just be aware of what is happening, as it comes and goes, without judgment.
It is a silent awareness of whatever arises in the field of awareness — sight, sound, smell, taste, touch (including breath, movement, and bodily sensations), or thought and feeling — gently held in equanimity and simply observed as they are, as reality is.
mindful cooking
You will learn how to be fully present with what is inside you and what is outside you, while cultivating a kind relationship with both and practicing compassion.
Duration: 2 hours
(1 hour mindful cooking with a menu upon request. This can be Thai, Asian, or any other cuisine you would like to explore, followed by 1 hour mindful eating with joy.)
Time: 11:00 – 13:00
Cost: €120 (including ingredients)
mindful tea session
You will learn how to be fully present while preparing and drinking tea. Simply drinking tea, just to drink tea with full presence. During the session, you’ll practice mindfulness in each movement of your body and cultivate awareness of sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, and thought/feeling.
Location: in person or online
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: €30 (includes high-quality tea leaves)
mindful walking or jogging in silence
Just another way of practicing mindfulness through movement. You’ll tune into the rhythm of your body, including your breath, footsteps, heartbeat, as well as your thoughts and feelings, while staying gently aware of the world around you.
No need to speak, just walk or jog in silence and awareness.
For: a person I already know and have worked with
Location: Any nearby park
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: €30
mindful breathing
You will learn how to observe your own breathing just as it is, without judgment, control or expectation. Through this practice, you’ll cultivate present-moment awareness and begin to foster deeper concentration.
Location: in person or online
Duration: 30 minutes
Cost: a donation to anyone you would like to support
A bit about me.
My first mindfulness training began back in primary school. On Friday mornings before class, all pupils practiced breath awareness for five minutes using a guided tape. It was a Catholic school, so I sometimes also joined the prayers in the school church. On weekends, my mother would take me to a temple in her parents’ neighborhood, where I often saw my grandfather leading Buddhist chanting rituals. Thai Buddhists have access to many mindfulness courses in temples across the country. These are generally taught in two forms: Samatha (concentration) and Vipassana (insight) meditation. I’ve been practicing both for over 20 years, since my undergraduate days. My mindfulness practice in daily life is inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh and Kru Metta Uthakaphan. I’ve also gained wisdom from several masters through their books and teachings, including the Thai monks Buddhadasa, Ajahn Chah, Luangpor Pramote Pamojjo, Ajahn Udorn as well as from my Vipassana teacher, S.N. Goenka, the Thai philosopher Ajahn Pramuan Pengchan and the Japanese Zen Master Dōgen Zenji.
