A Kingdom obsessed with sweeping. It has taken me many years of observing to begin to understand it.

You see it everywhere in Thailand, starting at around 4am, when the bells awake the faithful who live by the rhythm of their local temple. People sweep. Gardens, pathways, the road outside their house, temples, the area near their shop. They sweep with twig brooms or the finer locally made brush brooms - both with bamboo handles. As soon as a stormy wind dies down or the rain stops, out they come to sweep. Shops even employ full time sweepers.

To the western mind it seems illogical. Why not just close the door to stop the wind blowing things in? Fallen leaves are good for the soil, why not just let them be? Nature makes such beautiful patterns with her fallen blooms, so why not just enjoy her handiwork?

Mindful sweeping flows into the Thai culture from the monks. It is taught in temples to start each day, as a mindfulness practice: to sweep in silence, to offer service, to clear away the debris of the past. Novices diligently sweep in silence, with heads bowed, allowing the empty clear space they create to be mirrored in themselves.

I remember, years ago, arguing with one of my staff about needing to use two hands to sweep effectively. To hold the broom more firmly. She insisted on always sweeping with one hand behind her back, like a maitre'd , in a physical act of surrendered service and humility. It's not the most practical way to get the job done and it takes much longer, but over years of watching heads bowed in surrendered early morning sweeping, it has seeped into my soul.

I too, have become a dawn sweeper. It is one of my most profound meditations. I start the day early and while the kettle boils for tea, I, too, am outside sweeping. Releasing the debris of yesterday's attachments. Letting go. Preparing and clearing the canvas for new things. Inviting a different manifestation.

When I am distressed or sad, I now sweep. When I am angry, I sweep. Slowly, silently, mindfully. I allow the focus on the motions to create a silent rhythm which lulls me into no-space no-mind. I emerge from the sweeping refreshed, ready to give water to the plants who feel more receptive with the space around their pots tidy and clear. Indeed, I am more receptive to my day after my conscious sweeping meditation

Mindful thoughts worth considering this week:

@svenjawho writes about 'flow state' and how what works for them is a 'deep embodiment. A kind of full body awareness. Living with all your senses and paying attention to your breath.' - just like the sweeping monks. They talk about how sometimes we spent a lot of time in our heads, away from our hearts, but that's okay too - it's what we need in that moment:

'It’s the counters-state to the more vulnerable, emotional and sensitive heart-state. Sometimes that fierceness, determinedness and rationality can be just what is needed at that point in time'

@ianperic talks about sitali pranayama - his video here might be of interest to some of you. Various breathing activities can help us achieve certain states of mind.

@tarahel creates beautiful images to emphasise her spiritual lessons, and I loved this one - as well as the lesson! Hope you find sacred in your mundane this week!

We also extend metta or loving kindness to @enginewitty, a community friend who is suffering a loss right now, and to all beings who might be struggling through difficult times. Sending you all our love and peace to get you through the week, with warmest regards. xx

And in other news...

Contemplate using any of the following tags for your meditation posts. We tend to check #mindfullife first, but we do check these tags too when we can, rewarding good posts with upvotes and love.

• mindfullife
• spirituality
• mindfulness
• meditation
• yoga
• mindfulmonday

Mindful Life is a space within Natural Medicine whose aims are:

• To unite meditators across the Steem blockchain so that we can share and strengthen our own practices
• To provide a space to discuss the philosophy, science and practical application of such practices in our lives
• To inspire and motivate each other
• To provide support if we might be struggling, connecting with like minded people who might offer solutions

Entry is minimum 20 SP for those under 500SP, and 50SP + for those with a bit more. This makes you a full member of @naturalmedicine and all it's benefits. It's free for those under 100 SP.

Natural Medicine Needs YOU! Please consider delegating to @naturalmedicine by clicking any amount below to help keep this collective going. The minimum entry for membership is 20SP (free for members under 150SP), and helps support and celebrate your work with natural remedies, healings and nurturings on this gorgeous blockchain! Join us on Discord here - we'd love to have you!

50SPII100SPII200II300SPII500SPII1000SP