Creating a colour
MINDFUL MOMENTS # 150
I have spent a few days this week on a chamber music course (I promise I do work sometimes), playing Haydn as part of a string quartet. There is an art to practising well as a group. We had the opportunity to observe our coaches, a professional string quartet, rehearsing. Some of you may have experience playing music in an orchestra or band, but there is a diplomacy that translates into other areas of our lives. It’s the same thing we wrote about in our personal statements all those years ago, about how being in an orchestra has “helped you hone the skill” of being part of a team. At the time it always felt like slightly forced and generic, but I can see now how the skills might be transferable.
It’s easy in a group - any group - to use our language to point fingers and say “you did this” or “you need to do more of this”. One of the points one of the coaches was making on this course is something I was keen to share with you, because it reminded me of what we do in meditation. He spoke about observing without being critical; listening without having a goal. It’s what we try and do in meditation when we step back and just observe and not point fingers at the thoughts we don’t like or want to have.
In music, we’re searching for a colour. We’re trying to use all and any technique we have at our disposal to create a certain mood or sound world. When we step back, we’re trying to hear how our sound fits into that landscape. We’re taking our awareness and placing it outside of ourselves, in an attempt to hear the bigger picture. We try to listen to it for what it is; we accept ourselves for where we are. We are always seeking out ways to “improve” how we sound, of course. It may be unpopular to suggest we are doing the same in meditation, but isn’t there something we are seeking to bring more of into our lives by having a daily practice of stillness?
My point is that we can bring this ability to observe without criticism, and an ability to listen without judgement to all areas of our lives. We move away from placing blame; instead we work together to create more of the colour we are looking for.
Mindful moment: Where in your life are you being overly critical, whether to yourself or others? Perhaps you’re always pointing the finger of blame towards yourself, telling yourself you need to do less of this, more of that; be louder; be quieter. How can you look to colour the world in the way you’re looking for, but in a way that feels kinder and more understanding? Can you step back, observe, listen and just notice those things you’d like to do differently, not because you’re criticising, but because you recognise that that would add to the landscape you’re trying to create?
YOGA
Mindful Movement
Next class: April 13th
Join us every Saturday from 11am-12.15 at the Cornerstone Community Centre in Hove for an all-levels vinyasa yoga flow class, meditation and mindfulness (mats provided or bring your own).
£6 per class or £24 for 5.
Upcoming classes for your diary until August 2024:
April 13th, 20th.
May 11th, 18th, 25th;
June 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th;
July 6th, 13th, 27th.
(or, if it’s easier (!) no classes: April 27th, May 4th, July 20th)
REFLECT
I was just thinking that it hadn’t felt like a week since I last sat down to write, and then I noticed the issue number: 150. Looking back, the very first edition of Mindful Moments was sent out on the 5th March 2021; I had no idea I had been writing this for three years! The first issue looked quite different; over time, the format has become more long-form.
I was speaking with friends a few days ago about creativity, and who we are creative for: ourselves or others? Elizabeth Gilbert famously said that whilst she was very touched so many people enjoyed Eat, Pray, Love, she only really wrote it for herself. I guess what I’m saying is: would I still be here writing if no-one was reading this (not even my mum)? I’d like to think the answer would be yes, because that is the essence of anything creative: that we create for the experience of doing, not just the outcome. We then share what we make, because people want to see it.
Mindful moment: Most of us don’t have a platform to share our creative pursuits. There may be a handful of you selling your knitting on Etsy, or making a good side hustle from baking, but for most people, we really are just creative for ourselves. However, doesn’t it feel natural to share? You crochet a blanket for a friend’s baby, or gift a drawing to a friend. When I first started this newsletter (seemingly, three years ago) I wanted to encourage this creative part of us that gets lost among all the adulting. So, I’ll ask again: what are you doing that is just for you; that nurtures that creative part of you? Why do you do it? What does it give you that you don’t get from other parts of your life? Can you do more?
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Welcome to the Community.
I'm Laura, a yoga teacher and NHS doctor. With this weekly newsletter I aim to help you incorporate mindful moments into your week. I want you to feel inspired, empowered and creative. I promise to always be authentic; to only include content that speaks to me and which, therefore, I hope will do the same for you.
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