Day 7 Navigating Busy Streets

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15 Jan 2021

#mindfulness #breathing #calm #business #justbreathe

Mongkok in Hong Kong has the highest density of population per square mile in the world. I lived in this exact place for three years some time ago. It was everything against what I needed and wanted in life. Having grown up in Europe, Mongkok was the polar opposite to tranquility, serenity and peace. The streets are forever buzzing with busy looking people. It’s easy to find yourself walking the MK streets no different than any other HKer, fast paced and almost feeling anxious.

Revisiting MK this time was a total different experience. Slowing down my pace of walking, being mindful of the surroundings made a huge difference. The trick was easy. I simply followed the things we already talked about the last couple days.

Slowing down the breathing. 7 times per minute. Paying you full attention to your body, and the flow of air going in and out of your body.
Listening and giving your full attention to the sounds around you. No judgement, just simply listen, and take it in.
Focusing on your feet, stepping firmly on the ground, a step after another.
Don’t let your mind wonder. Stay in the present.

If you find yourself navigating busy streets, dodging people and having to stay alert of your surroundings, try the above mindfulness technique, and you will find the inner peace in even the busiest of place at.

第七天：繁华街市漫步记

香港旺角的人口密度冠绝全球。我曾在这里生活过三年，但这里的一切都与我所向往的生活元素格格不入。我在欧洲的安宁、静谧与祥和中长大，可旺角与之完全相反：街道上永远挤满了行色匆匆的各色人等。当你在旺角的街市中穿行时，很难不注意到自己不由自主地陷入到与其他香港人无甚两样的焦虑快节奏奔忙中。

这次时隔数年后的旺角重游则带给我全然不同的体验。通过降低步速和留意一切周遭事物，我得到了与从前相比反差巨大的体验。此中奥妙其实简单备至。我只是遵循了在前几篇推文中所讨论的那些诀窍而已。

诀窍1：减缓呼吸速度并将其保持在7次/分钟。对你的身躯及其中气流进出保持充分关注。

诀窍2：充分注意和仔细聆听周遭一切声响。不要妄下评判，只需倾听并内化之即可。

诀窍3：留心你的步伐，切记脚踏实地、步步为营。

诀窍4：专注眼前，万不可胡思乱想。

如果你正一边匆忙穿行于车水马龙，一边还要忙着躲避来往人群并时刻留心周边环境，那么如上所述的各类正念技巧肯定能让你在最为吵嚷拥挤的街市中依旧心如止水。