AsiaSpa — November-December 2017

12 AsiaSpa November/December 2017

Editor’sNote

In the Now

Stephanie Shiu

Editor-in-Chief

[email protected]

“In today’s rush, we all think too much –

seek too much – want too much –

and forget about the joy of just being”

~ Eckhart Tolle

Living in the moment – a simple concept, perhaps not as easily executed. If only it were a

breeze to filter out the barrage of drifting thoughts and bask in just being. The benefits of

not getting bogged down by the past, or panicking about tomorrow are clear, so why can

focusing on the present seem nearly impossible?

When you’ve experienced a fleeting minute of mindfulness, whether zoning out in nature

or savasana post yoga, it’s easy to understand the appeal of reaching that point. Even a few

seconds free from worry, expectation, criticism, however self-inflicted, can do wonders.

And the possibility that we can achieve it on our own with a little practice is motivation

enough to embrace any technique, class or app.

Thinking of nothing, or everything, seem to be the two main approaches to meditation,

the fast track to mindfulness. The vagueness in itself can be enough to put off sceptics, so

finding a method that comes to you naturally can make all the difference. For example

concentrating on colour could be effective for a visual person, whereas music may be more

relatable to those attuned to sound. Whatever works for you.

Neither mindfulness nor meditation need take place within a tranquil, candlelit sanctuary.

That’s the goal anyway – to be able to tune out distractions when savouring a meal, or better

yet, tackling crowds between meetings in a frenzied metropolis. And the skill of noticing

surroundings, sounds, sensations and your breath in any situation is the best brain training.

To give you a head start, this issue lets you in on how to eat with intent (p.58), vipassana

meditation for better emotional intelligence (p.60) and the role technology plays in ramping

up self-awareness (p.88).

Mind over matter indeed.