An understanding of mindfulness involves not only expanding awareness of experiences occurring internally, but also developing an openness to perceiving what is happening in the world we inhabit. In fact, it’s a false dichotomy to separate internal experiences from external experiences.
The oxygen we depend upon is mostly supplied by plants that transform the carbon dioxide we exhale. Although some cultures value developing independence, we actually are interdependent to an extent that it makes sense to consider the interests of our environment.
The next breath becomes an opportunity to develop an awareness of how connected we are to the plants that provided the oxygen in that breath. Enhanced awareness is an opportunity to care for the world that, in turn, supports us.
