Engaged living is about taking ownership in whatever process we are engaged in and getting fully involved to live our lives to the fullest, rather than acting out of a future or past-oriented passivity. In other words, being aware. Every moment of the day we can choose to be aware of the present moment or get caught in thought. For that reason mindfulness functions as both the starting point and end point of engaged living.
Mindfulness is vast. Practicing it throughout the day is difficult. Engaged living relates to the actions behind the awareness, both large and small. Though it’s difficult to practice mindfulness at all times, by making choices to live an engaged life, the structure of one’s life changes. As the structure changes, mindfulness flows.
The topics The Mindful Word explores are lifestyle alternatives that those living mindfully would naturally adopt. Do we choose to listen deeply when in conversation or passively respond? If the former, nonviolent communication would seem an obvious choice rather than half-listening and speaking one’s mind to express the ego instead of connecting from the heart. Do we choose to appreciate the simple things in life or material objects? Voluntary simplicity is the natural choice for those living an engaged life. These are just a couple of the topics that The Mindful Word seeks to engage in dialogue with you.
