Mindful Working Online
Develop the art of getting things done, by practising being present and giving attention to a job that needs doing anyway!
Ever since Covid forced us online, we've continued running occasional practical sessions for our students under the title Mindful Working. Free to join, usually on a Sunday morning and lasting under two hours, the sessions have become unmissable events for many of our students.
It's also a great reminder that we are a school of practical philosophy.
How it works
1. Choose a job. Maybe something you’ve been putting off, or that you don’t want to do but does need doing. Something involving physical movement is ideal, but it could also be administrative or even study. Ideally something you can tackle in 40-50 minutes.
2. Come together. Join the Zoom meeting just before the start time. This is just for a short introduction, such as a reminder of the School's unique 'four principles of work':
- Let the attention rest where the working surfaces meet
- Trust the instrument to do the job
- (Remember that) the work is more important than our ideas about it
- Work until it is time to stop
3. Let the job be done! Practise mindful working, no distractions, just you, your job and your secret power of attention. We normally allow 45-60 minutes, depending on how many are taking part.
4. Meet and share. Come back online at the agreed time to share highlights of your experience. Which of the senses did you most connect with? What ideas or desires were vying to distract you? Did you catch yourself putting in too much effort?
From start to finish the session lasts less than two hours, leaving everyone free to enjoy the rest of their weekend.
Key takeaway:
Working with attention is harder than we first think. It’s a skill that has to be developed and that takes practice. The good news is, we have almost unlimited opportunities, and once we start to take these opportunities, life becomes immeasurably richer and more instructive.
(Oh, and stuff gets done!)
We've noticed, tidying up the tool shed seems a popular choice with some of our students.
Other examples from our latest session included: replacing a broken greenhouse pane, putting up some framed posters, tidying a bedside cabinet, pruning garden shrubs, a sewing job and changing the linen on two beds.
Photocredits: OPPO Find X5 Pro and Sneaky Elbow on Unsplash