Bus Meditation

I travel to yoga class thrice a week and use public transportation. Since the bus I take starts right from near my house, I get to sit down also. I've found a nice way to spend those 45 minutes.

The idea is to keep the eyes shut for the entire journey and constantly ensuring that at all points I know where I am exactly - to recognize every bus stop, to know how far (approximately) one is from the next bus stop, recognize every turn and every signal, recognize the bakery shops and chip shops by smell, recognize major landmarks like subways and flyovers, recognize it every time a new person sits beside me etc. The prime purpose behind this meditation is that, to accomplish this perfectly, one has to constantly be aware of what is happening and be totally present. Otherwise, we might suddenly find ourselves being totally lost in our thoughts about office, home etc..., not knowing where we are. If this happens, one should quickly come back to the present and continue the process from there on. I recommend this practice strongly for everyone who is sitting in a bus that is going through a well known route. I am extremely calm and energized at the end when I get up.

For beginners to mindfulness, it will point out very clearly the dysfunction of the mind and for people who have been introduced to it already its a wonderful way to utilize the torrid commute times in the cities!