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Mindfulness in Daily Chores
zombiegirl
beating the drum of the lifelessin a dry wasteland Veteran
What is the key to mindfulness with monotonous tasks?
I have read that it's better to be mindful in all that you do, and I try, but I find it incredibly boring.
Here is an example: I hate doing the dishes. I find it tedious, boring, gross, and it makes my fingers dry (but I hate wearing gloves). So... to distract myself, I typically listen to music and probably can be found singing along as well. A few weeks ago I was doing the dishes like normal, jamming to some music, and I didn't notice that I had picked up a broken glass in my hand until I had actually ran my fingers along the cut. No worries, I didn't actually cut myself, but as someone who works with her hands for a living... a cut like that could have potentially resulted in a weeks pay lost. I was shocked that I could be so careless to not even notice the obvious break in the glass until I touched it. I realized I was being extremely unmindful.
So, I have tried doing the dishes sans music... but it only reminds me of the reason that I put on some music in the first place. What is the key to this? Is there some sort of proper perspective I am lacking that would make this less boring... or should I simply make peace with the boring?
I have read that it's better to be mindful in all that you do, and I try, but I find it incredibly boring.
Here is an example: I hate doing the dishes. I find it tedious, boring, gross, and it makes my fingers dry (but I hate wearing gloves). So... to distract myself, I typically listen to music and probably can be found singing along as well. A few weeks ago I was doing the dishes like normal, jamming to some music, and I didn't notice that I had picked up a broken glass in my hand until I had actually ran my fingers along the cut. No worries, I didn't actually cut myself, but as someone who works with her hands for a living... a cut like that could have potentially resulted in a weeks pay lost. I was shocked that I could be so careless to not even notice the obvious break in the glass until I touched it. I realized I was being extremely unmindful.
So, I have tried doing the dishes sans music... but it only reminds me of the reason that I put on some music in the first place. What is the key to this? Is there some sort of proper perspective I am lacking that would make this less boring... or should I simply make peace with the boring?
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Comments
Be in the moment for what it is, instead of clock watching.
(I hate dishes too lol this helped me out a lot!)
In the same way as breathing and sitting are boring in meditation so are the actions of monotony - you've developed the concept of meditation so flip and slide definitions here and there and you can extend the meditative lesson across all daily activity.
Even mindful people cut themselves now and again! thank goodness for plasters!
Doing dishes/cleaning the kitchen can be your contribution to the running of the household.
Try to take pride in it.
Do it...how you like it.
Maybe different kind of music.
Maybe with someone sitting on the stool next to you, talking.
Maybe at night, instead of the day.
Maybe in your favorite underwear.
Connect the moments to the duty.
Connect you to the moments that you connected to the duty.
The Meditation Bible by Madonna Gauding
has an entire meditation
devoted to dishes. Would you like me to post some content for you?
Forces you to open your touch sense perseption and you will have a newfound apreaciation of the task of washing dishes.
Think of the blind.
Girl power!
Dishes, hate em, have to do em, argue with kids so they do em, So I attempt to do them like a child. Notice the stuff as you go, kinda play, and take some pride that when you are done there are no chunks of meatloaf in the wine glass! Woot
Sometimes if I'm in the mood I just put in headphones and clean my room very slowly to enjoy my music.
@AHeerdt LOL about the underwear... but you know, your daughter does have a point. Some underwear just make me feel so much better about my life... Like, I may not have gotten anything accomplished today... but at least these underwear make my ass look fantastic. @Zero Can you explain a little more about what you mean here? How can you extend meditative lessons across daily activity?
DO THE DISHES
BENEFITS
*Helps you focus and concentrate
*Transforms ordinary chores into a practice
*Teaches everyday mindfullness
How can dishwashing be a meditation? The Zen tradition encourages you to perform every action with total one-pointed awareness and attention.
You may have some difficulty paying such close and undivided attention to washing your dishes at first.
You may feel bored because you are accustomed to using dishwashing time to think
about other things, or listen to music. If you can transcend your initial boredom,
you will reap the joys of mindfullness.
PRACTICE
Slowly pick up your first dish and begin washing it.
Focus on the sink and the dish.
If thoughts intervene, return focus.
When the dish is clean, slowly and mindfully place it in the drainer.
Pick up your next dish, and continue in the same manner.
Your mind may stray, but try to stay in the present and the task at hand.
Approach the experience as if it is the very first time you have ever
washed the dishes.
Even though it will take much longer than usual, wash every item
in this manner. Although exaggerated, try to bring this level of awareness
and deliberate attention to everything you do.
Keep your mind present and engaged.
Notice if you feel more relaxed and peaceful approaching your
life in this way.
The Meditation Bible
Madonna Gauding
Tom Waits
IMO, this is how formal sitting practice gets carried over in into daily life. What is carried over is the ability to 100% focus. The more you sit following the breath, the more skill you obtain in this focusing ability.