Up for Grabs!

  I recall a couple of months back, how Judy and I had stumbled upon a couple of old books which were on the street, 'up for grabs'. One was about language, in particular the history of English language and characters, while the other is a book by Terry Orlick called Free to Feel Great: Teaching Children to Excel at Living (1993). This book is a real treasure, because it actually talks about mindfulness without even using the term 'mindful'! Now, think of that--schools have been insisting on trying to de-sacralise the meditation process by stripping it of any element of spiritual tradition attached to it. But more than 20 years ago, a man did exactly this, and went even farther to stop using the term mindfulness! He even uses "Book of Highlights" to describe a gratitude journal which explores how children can highlight the positive and wholesome things in their lives. He lists a few examples, including Human Contact, Contact with Nature, Play, Personal Accomplishments, Relaxation, Discovery and Good Sensations (p.14-15). After reading this list just now, I start to realize that this book should perhaps be for adults. But luckily it is not...because the adult world has a tendency to use abstract terms to describe what are really very emotional and visceral, everyday experiences of being in touch with one's surroundings, body and sensations. All this is 'mindfulness', but without the very important (if not overused) language.
    The reason I bring up this point is to say: the practice of being mindful paradoxically means that one often has to innovate on the terminology a bit in order to keep the ideas fresh in mind. When I read Orlick's book, I am seeing something I have perhaps read in a different way, but it is being presented with fresh, almost child-like eyes and mindset. And this mindset of curiosity and simple child-like delight is often part of what it means to be in this moment, with everything one has and is. Rather than thinking of this process as some abstract 'mind discovery' it might perhaps be an advantage to go back to what this experience really looks and feels like in the day to day grind of life.
    I must say, Orlick's book is a gem, and it is helping me to get fresh perspectives on the topic of gratitude.

Orlick, Terry (1993). Free to Feel Great: Teaching Children to Excel at Living. Carp, ON: Creative Bound