Mind where you sit

    Reading The Miracle Of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh with its stress on doing things for their own sake and being present in the moment (I oversimplify, of course) has made me consider my reading habits, and specifically where I read and how that situation affects my concentration. I know I do too much at my desk, partly because I'm usually trying to accomplish several things at once anyway, and secondly because I often want to look up pertinent points as I read, so I have the computer on. Of course, this means I'm easily distracted as emails come in or I allow myself to get sidetracked by some other work, and I realise I'd benefit by being disciplined and getting out of harm's way, so today I've moved a couple of chairs and put an extremely comfy one in this spot, and the plan is to go and sit in it and do my reading there - radical, eh?

    Mindful of Mortimer Adler's caution, I'm after quality rather than quantity, that's to say my change of location is meant to help me read more attentively, rather than just read more. I hope it works.

Comments

[Anji]

It certainly looks like a very nice spot but I have found for myself that I can and do read anywhere and if I am tired I can sleep just about anywhere too. Including on a guided tour on the canals of Amsterdam, I remember opening my eyes when we reached Ann Frank's house and that was about it, as far as the tour went!

So good luck with your new endeavour, it is important to be present and in the moment. You should report back and let us know if you were able to achieve the desired results-quality over quantity and no napping!!

I am wondering if I may have missed something, I have just moved from the US to Canada so I have not been close to my computer for a while, have you announced the book club read for June and I have missed it?

[Cornflower]

No, you haven't missed the announcement, Anji! Hopefully, it will be up today or tomorrow (I'm waiting for my copy), but it's a very short book so we should have plenty of time to read it.

[Barbara]

Your house looks so lovely it must have many pleasant reading spots. I don't find it makes any difference where I read, really, except that reading in bed I'm too likely to drop off to sleep. I'd love an old fashioned club chair but don't have room for one.