A few mornings ago, I woke up & could fully take into my heart the reality that I am going to die. Usually, this feels like just a thought or idea, but this time, it landed deeply. I was struck by the Buddha’s recommendation to reflect on death daily, and this reflection brought a profound awareness of the poignancy of ordinary experiences—the routines that fill my day.
I noticed the feeling of my breath, the sound of a crow outside, the light breeze, the sensation of getting out of bed, and putting on clothes. Later, it was the warmth of a mug of tea, the sound of my partner’s laughter, taking out the trash, driving, making a meal, and hearing my mother’s voice on the phone. These ordinary experiences suddenly had a richness & depth. The mundane became extraordinary.
These routine activities make up most of our lives. They happen whether we’re joyful or sorrowful, peaceful or troubled, healthy or sick. Yet, it’s so easy to overlook them, to be on autopilot.
This autopilot mode is sometimes necessary, but too much of it can make life flicker by without truly being present. If these ordinary moments constitute most of our lives, I want to be there for them.
In Theravada Buddhism, mindfulness of these routine activities is crucial. The Satipatthana Sutta, a foundational Buddhist text, emphasizes embodied mindfulness in everyday actions—walking, sitting, lying down, standing, reaching, eating, and even sleeping.
Being mindful of these ordinary experiences strengthens our presence in daily life, creating a foundation for deeper mindfulness. But this isn’t easy. Modern living often feels at odds with being fully present. Efficiency & multitasking can impede our ability to be with the ordinary & routine.
Two key components help me stay present in the ordinary. The first is embodied awareness—being fully aware of bodily experiences like standing, sitting, reaching, or even flossing teeth. This awareness roots my experience in the body, rather than in thoughts & ideas. The second is a curiosity about the process of activities, not just the outcome. This shift in focus makes life feel like a dance, a flow of movement, rather than a series of tasks to complete.
These practices disrupt the narrow, habitual ways we relate to life. They allow deeper ways of perceiving & being in the world to emerge. By tuning into the extraordinary in the ordinary, we touch something profound & mysterious that transcends the notion of “I” doing something. This insight into the selfless nature of experience can inform how we live these brief lives of ours.
So, like me, you too will die one day. In light of this, how do you want to relate to the routine, to the ordinary, during this brief life of yours?
For a more complete reflection on this topic you may want to listen
to this Dharma Talk by Brian:
The Ordinary Becoming Extraordinary