Service seven: Noticing

Service seven - Noticing

Noticing is the task of trying to observe the world as it is, and as much as possible setting aside our stories and frameworks of what we expect it to be. Noticing in its fullest sense is probably impossible, because as adults we are creatures of expectation. But we can, perhaps, develop practices that help us notice at least in certain dimensions and for certain periods of time.

Below is a recording of a 10-minute interview with Marlies Dorrestein on what she calls “mindfulness with heart”. Marlies came to NZ from the Netherlands in the mid-1980s. She has Dutch and German heritage but NZ is firmly “home” now. She has two adult children, one living with her partner in the Netherlands, the other living with his partner in Titirangi. Marlies’ professional background is in practising and teaching occupational therapy. She has a longstanding personal and professional interest in mindfulness practice: in personal/spiritual, healthcare and educational contexts.

Please note that service recordings are designed to give you a feel for the worldview/philosophy behind services. They lack the music, visuals, and presence of other people that are part of real-time services.

Prompts for reflection

How and what do you notice?

How do you struggle with noticing?

Readings and resources

Mindfulness: Finding peace in a frantic world and/or the Oxford Mindfulness Centre - introductions to mindfulness practice.

Centering Prayer by Cynthia Bourgeault - a Christian approach that discusses “welcoming” negative emotions.

Here is an interesting article on Jon Kabat-Zinn’s approach to mindful mediation and its social, political and health benefits.

Here is the poem Marlies read, you’ll find other poems there too as Marlies reflects on “walking the mystery of life”.

Music

You Tube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAESZsLJdVw

Antique Tibetan singing bowls, bells and gongs: The Tibetans have an ancient science of sound, which they use for healing and for altering one’s state of consciousness. When listening, notice how the sounds vibrate through your body, and how they might be affecting you.