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Zen of Toothbrushing

Maybe like your electric toothbrush, mine has a 2-minute cycle, with 30 seconds allotted for each quadrant of the mouth. I’m consistent at lasting for the entire 2 minutes, but I’m always walking around my apartment, not paying attention. On New Year’s Day, in the spirit of mindfulness, I decided to try another approach, to see what it would feel like to actually be still for 2 minutes and concentrate on the task at hand. It’s hard. Let’s see how long it lasts.

Illustration by Geoffroy de Crécy

Discussion

14 comments for “Zen of Toothbrushing”

  1. claire says:

    I do the exact same thing! (the doing other stuff while the toothbrush runs) I try to meditate for a few minutes every morning and have decided I don’t need to be mindful 24/7 🙂

  2. Petra says:

    I’ve been meditating regularly (for the most part) for almost 5 years now, doing a combination of mindfulness/mantra. I must say that I live somewhat more mindfully, but to be that way 24/7 (as Claire noted) is difficult (and I don’t know that anyone but the Dalai Lama could do that). One of my intentions for 2018 is to eat more mindfully. So, I have to stay away from any screens for at least one meal/day (and 2 on the weekends). I*’m rediscovering the joys of reading actual physical material while dining! But to concentrate solely on my food? That’ll take a little more time. Baby steps!

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