Live your direct experience

Have you ever heard the expression “autopilot”. Its literal meaning is of a device that steers a ship, plane, or spacecraft by itself, without a person.  However, you hear it often being used to describe when someone has done something without focusing or thinking.  This expression came to mind while I was walking up the mountain today.   

     I am sure you have experienced it.  Where you woke up, got ready for your day, drove, or walked to work. I Ate, drank, and maybe even exercised. Then when asked about your day, your mind draws a blank and you scramble to recall it. What did I do, or see, or feel?   Naturally, you blame it on your mind getting old and that it's slipping or something but is this really the case??  Or is it that most of us have checked out of our daily direct experience.  Putting ourselves in "autopilot" mode throughout our lives and never fully taking in each experience for what it is.  So when it comes time to actually recall it, we can't, as we never gave the brain a chance to formulate a memory of it. We are simply going about our daily lives without actually fully participating in them.   So how do we get back into the driver’s seat to our own lives?   

     I think one of the easiest ways to begin to recall your day is to practice mindfulness. Bringing it back to the basics of solely focusing on your direct experience. When your walking, walk; when your sitting, sit, and when your standing, stand; and so on.  Make a conscious effort to be exactly where you are at, without adding or subtracting anything to that moment. Leave the "thinking mind" behind and completely immerse yourself in the present moment with all the senses.  What is it that you see, feel, hear, smell or taste?  Just notice things without judging them or attaching a memory to them.  Take it for what it is. The more you make an effort to practice awareness in your day-to-day, you will be surprised by what you begin to remember and fully experience in the end.