I used to be in such a hurry when I drove. Always rushing
towards the next destination and not mindful of where I was at that moment.
Now, I don’t even speed and I always arrive exactly when I’m supposed to, never
early and never late.
Most Americans own a car. And it is in this box we seem to find ourselves spending a significant portion of our day commuting to work, school, to a grocery store, or some other necessary destination. If you’ve been driving for years, you’ve more likely become numb to many aspects of your car, the road, and the entire driving experience as a whole.
We find our keys, unlock the door, turn on the ignition, the
radio is already on from our previous excursion, put the shifter in D and go
without as much as a second thought as to what mindful experience we’re
missing.
So how may we embrace mindfulness into our driving to make
it more a part of our being? Like most activities we undertake the experience
begins before the actual event.
With driving we may begin with the time available to arrive
at our destination. Did you wake up late and are rushing or do you have enough
time to account for a delay? If you’re short on time you may begin to feel anxious
whereas if you have plenty of time the experience will be more enjoyable.
Do you remember where your keys are? Be diligent about where
you place your keys after each return. Searching frantically for them when you
left them in yesterdays coat pocket removes from the enjoyable driving
experience you’re about to make.
Walk leisurely towards your car. Look at the sky, breathe
deeply and smell the air, feel the temperature on your skin. Take note for any
flat tires or anything else that may prove hazardous for your drive.
As you sit in the driver’s seat, feel yourself being gently cradled. Are the seats leather or cloth? Are they warm or cold? When you fasten your seatbelt how does the click sound? You may not need to adjust your mirrors if you were the last to operate this vehicle but it’s a good practice to check.
Keep the radio off for the entire drive. Although music is
certainly enjoyable during today’s commute you’ll really be practicing driving
mindfully. It it’s a nice day, open the window slightly. No air conditioner. Don’t
speed either, not even by one mile per hour or KPH. Doing these little steps
will help develop patience and awareness to where you are in this present
moment.
As you drive, with both hands on the wheel, feel the road.
Are there bumps or is it smooth. Just like life, there are smooth patches,
areas of roughness, and even the occasional pothole.
Look at the other motorists. Are they speeding by you? Let
them. Does it make you feel a little awkward? Ask yourself why.
Like the other motorists, you have a destination that you’re traveling too. But your destination isn’t the same as theirs. And in fact, your destination isn’t the ‘destination’ you’re truly journeying towards, is it?
I wish you peace and ease,
Vladimir
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