Commentary: Not sure if I’m of the mind for ‘mindfulness’

Mindfulness is in; multi-tasking is out!

According to those who practice it, mindfulness involves bringing and keeping your attention to the present moment. It keeps you from letting life pass you by.

I first became aware of this subject when I attended a one-hour class on mindful eating. The instructor demonstrated by handing each of us a small tangerine. We held it lovingly, as we examined its texture, color and smell. Peeling and eating it became a sensuous experience.

By the time we digested our last bite, 10 minutes later, it gave a whole new meaning to the word citrus.

Jon Kabat-Zinn, a guru in this field, claims mindfulness has many benefits for the body. The experts say it can boost your immune system, decrease stress, tune out distractions and maybe even improve your memory. It can fuel optimism and enhance relationships.

Sounds almost too good to be true. And you know what they say about that!

Even some schools are experimenting with teaching mindfulness to kids. Their hope is to increase attention and reduce behavioral problems. Wow, what a concept!

In a disheartening article in the Atlanta-Journal-Constitution newspaper, a group of parents objected to the teaching of yoga and meditation in their local school. They believed it endorsed a non-Christian belief system. Does this mean that, if I brought you matzo ball soup when you were sick, I wanted to convert you to Judaism?

So yesterday, on my morning walk, I pledged to practice awareness. I was going to focus on every tree, flower and blade of grass. Ditto for sounds and smells.

My walk started near a neighborhood Pavilions grocery store. Within seconds, I was making a mental shopping list, which led me to contemplate what I would make for dinner that night. I reluctantly forced myself back to the present.

A block later, a jogger passed by. It reminded me that I need new gym shoes, which made me think of Nike. This, in turn, brought to mind Fashion Island, which prompted me to think about buying a pair of pants I saw in the Bloomingdales catalog.

Before long, I was planning out a new spring wardrobe.

“Snap out of it, Terri,” I chided myself.

This led me to remind myself to stay out of the stores, and do more stimulating activities. Like writing.

Hence, this commentary! So much for mindfulness. Wish it came in pill form!

TERRI GOLDSTEIN lives on Newport Coast.