In speaking with someone recently they asked if knitting was just a distraction from the mind, or actually a mindfulness exercise. I think it is both for me. And it can be both at the same time, or one or the other. The intention is key.
Sometimes in a mindful way I say each stitch in my head as I would in counting my breath, I note the feel of the wool gliding, and the movement of my hands.
Sometimes I am watching TV and it is just something I am doing. It always calms me down as I perform the task, and so distracts me from the clutter around me, or the dishes that need doing.
Listening to the podcast Zencast yesterday they were talking about distractions and how people multitask and get this dopamine squirt as we talk on cell phones, type email, and drive at the same time. Another point is that in this uncheck mindless way, our grasping mind will start to look for new this to hold onto and make the pleasure even hightened. Her example was I love listening to Mozart, I should get a new stereo and then it would be even better. Or I love flowers, I should get more vases so I can have more flowers in the house. I really related to this view of how consumerism can take hold. This often happens to me. I think of one thing, and that can lead to 2 more things I really need to help me out. And if these things hadn't even been invented yet, I would be no worse the wiser.
Well back to the knitting. Today I will be blocking my mother's scarf and hopefully finishing my maja wrap. Then I need to find my next project. I have a pillow to piece together that I just cannot get done, I hate seaming again.
Good news the Manchester Uk office is going to speak with me on Tuesday about a temporary post over there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited.
Sometimes in a mindful way I say each stitch in my head as I would in counting my breath, I note the feel of the wool gliding, and the movement of my hands.
Sometimes I am watching TV and it is just something I am doing. It always calms me down as I perform the task, and so distracts me from the clutter around me, or the dishes that need doing.
Listening to the podcast Zencast yesterday they were talking about distractions and how people multitask and get this dopamine squirt as we talk on cell phones, type email, and drive at the same time. Another point is that in this uncheck mindless way, our grasping mind will start to look for new this to hold onto and make the pleasure even hightened. Her example was I love listening to Mozart, I should get a new stereo and then it would be even better. Or I love flowers, I should get more vases so I can have more flowers in the house. I really related to this view of how consumerism can take hold. This often happens to me. I think of one thing, and that can lead to 2 more things I really need to help me out. And if these things hadn't even been invented yet, I would be no worse the wiser.
Well back to the knitting. Today I will be blocking my mother's scarf and hopefully finishing my maja wrap. Then I need to find my next project. I have a pillow to piece together that I just cannot get done, I hate seaming again.
Good news the Manchester Uk office is going to speak with me on Tuesday about a temporary post over there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited.
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