This year my Countdown to Christmas is a nontraditional Advent Calendar centering (pun intended) on mindfulness.
On the front of each card is neat little picture, and on the back are the instructions for the short meditation.
Today, Day Five of Advent … “STUDY A CANDLE.”
Here are today’s instructions:
Candles are ubiquitous at this time of year and a mainstay of many a Christmas display. But how much time do you actually give to observing them?
Sit in a comfortable, peaceful place indoors where there is nothing that can distract you. Place a candle in front of you and light it. For five minutes, your task is simply to stare at the candle. Study everything you can about the candle, the flame and how it makes you feel.
Try to stay completely still and breathe slowly while maintaining your gaze on the candle. Watch the flame as it dances and flickers; is it beautiful, relaxing, hypnotic? Observe the wax melting at the top of the candle.
What other senses does the candle engage? Does it give off a scent? What emotions does it evoke?
Stopping your mind from drifting for five minutes is a tough challenge. Don’t feel bad when your mind wanders – just acknowledge where it is going and gently bring it back to the candle and the moment.
This task helps you train your mind to channel its focus and to stay in the moment. With practice, you will experience the sensation of full awareness on the flame, as the rest of your surroundings fade away.
A sampling of our candles over the years:
May you see Light this day.
NealEnJoy 