A note from Sean
One thing I learned as a monk is that I didn’t need nearly as much entertainment and excitement as I thought I did. The moment is more than sufficient.
Try this today. The next time you wait, in a line or on hold, ask once, “Is there impatience here?” Find where it sits in your body, maybe the jaw, the shoulders, or the belly. Soften that one spot and let out one slow breath.
Keep going: Guided Meditation Script: Three Mindful Breaths and Guided Meditation Script “One Breath at a Time”.
This suits busy days and short waits. If frustration is running hot, or the wait is tied to something painful, go gently. Stop when you need to.
Here’s a Sample of the “Mindfulness While Waiting In Line” Guided Meditation Script:
What Are You Waiting For?Waiting is an unavoidable fact of life. Often when we’re waiting—in traffic, at the DMV, for our food to arrive—we grow impatient or frustrated.We focus entirely on getting to the front of the line and completing the task.In these moments when you have nothing to do but wait, you have a perfect opportunityto practice and encourage mindfulness.
Begin this practice whenever you are waiting during your day. Whether you’re physically waiting in line or waiting on hold on the telephone, use the experience of waiting as your cue to practice.
Pay attention to what it is you are waiting for. You are likely waiting for something specific. Bring this to mind, recognizing the nature of the experience. Check in to see if there is any impatience or frustration present with the waiting.
