Mindfulness and Housework:
Vacuum This
by Maya Frost
As a guest on a local television
show recently, I decided to bring along my vacuum cleaner.
No, it wasn't for a segment
on household hints. I wasn't there to share secrets
for deep-cleaning a carpet. Instead, I was using my
vacuum cleaner as a memorable visual (aural?) aid
to talk about mindfulness.
My host, Roland, gamely turned
it on during my bit, and we attempted to shout over
the roar of the machine. After a few seconds, we gave
up, and as he turned it off, the ensuing silence was
a welcome relief.
I used the vacuum cleaner
to talk about how we have this noise in our heads
all the time. Our thoughts are creating a swirl of
sound, and it can be exhausting to try to concentrate,
relax or get creative with all that racket going on.
This mental vacuum sucks our
energy and makes it difficult to gain clarity, let
alone peace of mind. We need to turn it off in order
to have the quiet space required to truly pay attention.
Oh, wait. Is that really true?
Actually, turning on a REAL vacuum cleaner and running
it across your floor provides an excellent opportunity
to quiet the noise in your head. You can use your
power switch to make an intentional shift toward mindfulness,
and let this housecleaning task become your chance
to watch your thoughts.
Any repetitive physical task
lends itself beautifully to mindfulness practice,
and the back-and-forth motion of your vacuuming can
give a soothing rhythm to your thought-watching. Set
your body on auto- pilot and focus on the thought
parade in your head.
Or, you can choose to use
your dust-sucking time to focus on the physical activity
required. Feel the muscles as you move. Focus on your
shoulders and arms as you stretch and retract, stretch
and retract. Switch arms and watch how it feels to
relax that one side while flexing the other.
The point here is to make
use of the task as a trigger for mindfulness, but
remember this: fun is a huge motivator in all things.
So, if you can't get too excited about vacuuming in
general or thought/body-watching in particular, I
heartily recommend Option #3--the Mrs.
Doubtfire approach to mindfulness.
You remember the scene in
the movie, Mrs. Doubtfire, when Robin Williams, dressed
as the matronly nanny, rocks out while vacuuming to
Aerosmith's "(Dude) Looks Like A Lady"
right? This must be the greatest housework scene ever.
It makes me want to go to my cleaning closet and dance
with the vacuum wand myself.
That's what I'm talking about.
If you've ever been stressed
about something and gone on a cleaning binge, you
know how good it feels to scrub the floor and wipe
away your frustration at the same time. You might
as well get something done while you've got that adrenaline
pumping, right?
So, if a meditative vacuuming
session doesn't inspire you, you can still use this
time to be mindful by focusing on your air guitar
moves. Pay attention to your sense of fun as well
as your sense of perspective. Exercise your concentration.
Focus on what it feels like to cut a rug while cleaning
it.
Mindfulness doesn't require
stillness, and it certainly doesn't have to be serious.
Turn on your vacuum, and let the focusing begin.
Suck it up.
© 2005 Maya Frost
Maya Frost
has taught thousands of people how to pay attention. Through her
company, Real-World Mindfulness Training™, she offers
playful, powerful eyes-wide-open alternatives to meditation.
To read her free tips and tricks for everyday awareness, visit
http://www.Real-WorldMindfulness.com
