Breathing Reminder Bells

I loved the idea of 'Bells of Mindfulness' suggested in this influential and wonderful book: Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life by Zen master, spiritual leader, and author Thich Nhat Hanh. You'll probably be familiar with the idea of the sound of a bell as a reminder for us to "come back to the present moment" and "stop talking, stop thinking, and return to ourselves, breathing in and out, smiling" (in Bells of Mindfulness, p. 18). And we can make our own breathing reminder bell too! Such as in every time we hear "the buzzer that goes off when you forget to fasten the seat belt in your car is a bell of mindfulness. Even non-sounds, such as the rays of sun-light coming through the window, are bells of mindfulness that can remind us to return to ourselves, breath, smile, and live fully in the present moment."

"Every time we get back in touch with ourselves, the conditions become favourable for us to encounter life in the present moment." Thich Nhat Hanh in Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life , p. 19)

An easy and efficient way that I've found out is to download in your computer "Bell of Mindfulness" (free on the link below) and set it up for every hour or every couple of hours (as I've done) so you'll hear the bell to remind you to breath in and breath out mindfully. It works for me! Every couple of hours I hear the sound of a lovely bell I stop whatever I'm doing and have three mindful breaths "I know I am breathing in" (feeling the air expanding your belly) and "I know I'm breathing out" (feeling it emptying).

It gives my mind a quick break to stop thinking and makes me feel alive, bringing me back to myself and to the present moment.. It takes only a minute or so but it really makes you stop for a quick and invaluable time for yourself. I feel good straight away!

Here's the link if you would like to give it a go (click on the image):