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Feel awake and alive

We often think of spiritual awakening as the culmination of many years of ascetic practice. It may be thought of as a point of no return. After experiencing the insights of this awakened state, we are forever transformed.

We often think of spiritual awakening as the culmination of many years of ascetic practice. It may be thought of as a point of no return. After experiencing the insights of this awakened state, we are forever transformed.

But in our everyday usage of the word, we awaken each day, and we pass through countless cycles of sleeping and reawakening day after day throughout our lives, and many seem none the wiser.

In between mundane awakening from our nightly slumber and ultimate spiritual awakening is the awakening to the present day.

Enjoy the sensations of being fully alive. Feel the warm comfort of soft sheets before you roll out of bed, and the refreshing splash of water on your face.

Savour all that you eat. Appreciate the appearance and texture of your food, and consider its source.

As you step out the door, take a deep breath and feel the cool fresh air fill your lungs and clear your head. Feel the sun, the rain or the wind on your face. Feel alive and awake.

As you walk through the park or along the sidewalk, passing trees, shops, homes and offices, consider how they all came to be.

When you visit your doctors office, you may not realize all that is done behind the scenes to maintain the quality of your care.

When you go to your community centre, you may appreciate the person who greets you at the front desk and the instructors, but you may not recognize the staff who work throughout the day and overnight to keep the facility clean and safe.

The food you eat, the clothes you wear and even the coffee you drink come to you through the work of many hands. None of us is truly independent.

Being mindful includes reflection and the realization of what lies behind the present, its meaning and significance.

When we awaken to our interdependence with countless others, we recognize our own responsibility to appreciate what we take for granted. Awaken to your own potential and the potential of this day.

Dr. Davidicus Wong is a physician and writer. Visit facebook.com/davidicus.wong and davidicuswong.wordpress.com or listen to his podcasts at wgrnradio.com.