Our society continues to place an increasing emphasis on getting more and more done in less and less time.  We are constantly bombarded with the message that we need to learn how to multitask and that we should value ourselves based on how much we accomplish in any given day.  With advancements in technology we are now able to watch television, check our email, text message, surf the web, play games and talk on the phone all with the same mobile device.  With these advancements unfortunately we are consistently being pulled farther and farther away from just being in the present moment and accepting that what is, is.  We should heed the advice of Thich Nhat Hanh and instead of becoming better multi-taskers we should practice becoming better uni-taskers. 

 

            One of the invaluable skills that we learn in the martial arts is the art of being fully present in the present moment.  With the sound of the bell at the beginning of each class we are reminded to be fully present.  We are encouraged to leave our worries about the future, regrets of the past, cravings of the ego, projects and to do lists at the door and be fully present in our training.  As with everything that we learn in the dojang the application of this lesson outside the dojang is the ultimate goal.

 

            I would encourage you to develop the habit of being 100% present in whatever activities you can.  It might surprise you but I enjoy cooking.  Well in truth, I enjoy being a sous chef for my wife who is the real cook in the family.  As the sous chef I joyfully prepare all of the ingredients needed for whatever dish we are preparing.  This usually involves dicing all of the vegetables and meat as well as gathering and measuring all of the other ingredients.  I truly enjoy these seemingly mundane tasks because I am assisting my wife and doing something for our family, but I have discovered that there is another reason I enjoy this activity.  Dicing vegetables allows and actually requires me to be fully present in this activity despite the frequent chaos within our home with our triplet girls and three year old son.  Practicing being completely present is very satisfying and is probably one of the reasons that I enjoy practicing the martial arts, running and cooking so much.

 

            By practicing being present during these activities I have noticed that I have improved my ability to be more fully present during all of my daily activities, just as the monks and martial artists of old were taught to be present in all of their activities like when lighting incense or pouring and drinking tea.  It is through the process of being fully present that we can enjoy true happiness.   When we get lost in the regrets of the past or our anxiety regarding the future then we create our own unhappiness.  When instead we are one hundred percent present in everything we do we will enjoy true happiness and tap into the limitless power of our Ki energy.

 

           I would encourage you to take the time to practice uni-tasking by being fully present while performing simple activities and through this practice you will develop the habit of being present during all of life's activities and all of our human interactions will become deeper and more fulfilling.