While traveling in London this summer, I used the public transport system quite a bit. “Mind the Gap” is their system for providing passengers audible and visual warnings to be safe when crossing from the platform to the train.

I was given numerous reminders not only to be careful, but to take a quick moment to be mindful, every time I got on the “tube” (underground train), every time I got off, every time there was a stop approaching, every time the doors opened and closed. What a wonderful reminder, that all the time, we have countless opportunities to find a gap, a slight pause, a moment of awareness.

So many of our teachers suggest that we take this “gap” practice off our cushions and into our daily lives as a simple way to slow down when we are in a hurry, when we are in self-absorption mode, or experiencing turbulent emotions like anger or fear. Wherever we go, whatever we do, we have many chances to tap directly into natural, open and spacious mind, if only for a few seconds.

Feel free to share in the comments anything about your “mind the gap” practice.

Thank you London, for allowing me to get lots of mindfulness practice on my holiday!!

Written by Cathryn Mayer