Mindfulness
at the heart of
our mission
What is
Mindfulness offers the potential to transform internal and external environments in a way that nurtures growth, emotional intelligence, creativity, innovation and the capacity to respond to life with an open mind and a wise heart.
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.
Mindfulness is above all about presence. It is about inhabiting our lives fully and bring all of our awareness into the present moment. Mindfulness fundamentally is a way of being, a way of relating to experience, moment by moment. A simple yet nuanced definition is “the awareness that arises through intentionally attending in an open caring and discerning way”.
Mindfulness practice provides the framework through which we can sharpen and develop this state of consciousness. When we practice, we cultivate mindfulness and yet mindfulness is always here within us…
The qualities
of mindfulness
This mindfulness state, that is natural and universal, bears qualities that sustainably transform our life. Its qualities are mainly three:
It is a universal experience, and as such, it is not linked to a specific philosophy or religion and it is accessible to all.
Its first quality is AWARENESS. Being simply aware of what is here without anticipating the future or dwelling in the past.
Its second quality is OPENNESS. Being open to whatever may arise, without willing to change, postpone or transform anything.
Its third quality is EMPATHY. Being receptive and sensible to the environment and to others, without fear or restriction.
It is a universal experience, and as such, it is not linked to a specific philosophy or religion and it is accessible to all.
Sa première qualité est l’ATTENTION. C’est être simplement attentif à ce qui est là sans anticiper l’avenir, se perdre dans les souvenirs ou dans les pensées.
Its second quality is OPENNESS. Being open to whatever may arise, without willing to change, postpone or transform anything.
Its third quality is EMPATHY. Being receptive and sensible to the environment and to others, without fear or restriction.
A practice
of wisdom
Contrary to a common place, wisdom does not fall from the sky. It is not the result of chance. It must be cultivated, day after day, by training. This training has a name in ancient traditions from East and West: contemplation. At first, we have to reconnect ourselves with our basic goodness, our fundamental good health, to discover the freshness of our experience, when we stop frenzy, worry and breakdown. Then, we learn, thanks to meditation techniques to familiarize ourselves with this state and to regularly come back to it. Finally, we learn how to integrate it to our daily activities and to our life.
Unlimited
benefits
Both traditional scriptures and modern science have proved that mindfulness meditation was effective and interesting: stress reduction, emotional intelligence and pro-social behavior growth, innovation a creativity enhancement, attention and concentration improvement, empathy development and reactivity reduction… Hardy a day goes without publishing of new benefits.
But at Ekwanim, we believe that these are only beneficial side effects of wisdom, insight and care development; “Know thyself and you will know the universe and the gods”, said Socrates. “Understand the nature of your mind and you will experience an unconditional peace”, said Buddha.
This is our goal: wisdom, health, happiness, harmony. But there is no need to be Buddha or Socrates to be wise and virtuous. “The way is the goal” and each step on the way, is step of wisdom and altruistic goodness.