092 CONVERGENCE

The Moment for

WRITING

Ruhani Gandhi Nigam

PHOTOGRAPHY Aishazhan Abuova

DESIGN

Claire Higgins

To practice mindfulness is to train the mind to anchor to the present moment. For most of us, our attention is focused on ruminating on the past or anticipating the future. Mindfulness intentionally redirects our attention back to the present, not judging it, but simply witnessing.

The practice usually involves closing your eyes and noticing the present moment around you and within you. Sometimes you engage your senses to observe the surrounding sounds, smells, and temperatures. the body, noting any tensions from head to toe before addressing and relaxing them. Most commonly, mindfulness involves paying attention to the breath, as the breath is the most portable and constant way to anchor us to the present moment — it is always with us. While doing these exercises, thoughts of plans with friends, upcoming assignments, and future meals will arise, as they naturally will. The goal is to notice these thoughts without engaging, and return back to the mindfulness practice at hand. During the social isolation of the pandemic, Google searches for the words “breathing exercises,” “meditation,” and “relaxation” have skyrocketed. People are asking questions about how they can become comfortable being alone, what their purpose in life truly is, and how they can appreciate their surroundings. Luckily, mindfulness has had the answers for over 6,000 years.

Thousands of years ago, mindfulness was practiced Buddhism and Hinduism as commonly mentioned. Mindfulness also has roots in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. However, the Western practice of mindfulness is largely indebted to Buddhist mindfulness. Many Western leaders in mindfulness learned from Buddhist teachers, and mindfulness is emphasized extensively in Buddhism — “sati,” or the practice was adopted further West, mindfulness expanded from religious to secular use.

Today, mindfulness has exploded into the practices of the modern world. As reported by Penn Medicine, health professionals use mindfulness to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders, physical pain, and many other mental and physical illnesses. Schools and colleges have started to integrate mindfulness to help students improve focus and manage stress. Professional athletes practice mindfulness meditation daily to improve their performance. Companies like Apple and LinkedIn begin their workdays with mindfulness to improve productivity and interpersonal interactions. Celebrities have been very public about the role of mindfulness meditation in their success. Mindful.org claims that mindfulness meditation is the fastest growing health trend in America, and the popularity is there to prove it.

It’s important to note that the Western adaptation of mindfulness is a form of cultural appropriation, a for Western palate. In addition to alienating people of color, Westernization diminishes the power of mindfulness practice itself. The West has rebranded mindfulness as a get-better-quick technique, when minutes. Rather, it is a way of existing in the world. corporate interest in mindfulness. Mindfulness has become a band-aid, a solution to acclimating employees to the stress and chaos of the business world. But as Bhikkhu Bodhi, a vocal Western Buddhist monk, said in , “absent a sharp social critique, Buddhist practices could easily be used to justify and stabilize the status quo, becoming a reinforcement of consumer capitalism.” This form of mindfulness is a reactive way of addressing employee distress and boosting productivity, rather than a proactive way of creating healthier work environments.

The ancient practice of mindfulness has been repackaged as a trend. And like any American trend, there’s an app for it — actually, more than 2,500 mindfulness apps exist, according to USA Today. And recently, mindfulness app downloads doubled in 2020 as people struggled to ease their anxiety and depression, according to The Washington Post. These apps are certainly convenient and easy to navigate, and the idea of mindfulness is becoming more widespread as a result.

BUT IN REALITY MINDFULNESS IS NOT A QUICK FIX THAT TAKES 10 MINUTES.

TRUST YOURSELF – YOU ARE CAPABLE OF MORE THAN YOU THINK.

But the apps were made in a Western ecosystem, and thus carry Western values. Andy Puddicombe, the co-founder of best-selling app Headspace, explains that the app is popular because it “meet[s] people where they are.” A majority of users are the practice and expect an instant download and solution. But when they are greeted without warning from judgmental thoughts and feelings — a natural destructive. Being mindful, like anything that needs practice, is a skill that takes time to develop. By misleadingly framing mindfulness as a quick antidote, Western mindfulness may have turned many away from a journey of spiritual contentment. But once one understands that mindfulness will not be easy, the apps can be a good place to start. Guided mindfulness meditation apps are simply the training wheels providing guidance about what to focus on, and now that you know what to look for it’s time to be your own guide.

I started my own practice of mindfulness to reduce anxiety, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by its other powers. My focus has improved, something that social media has been chipping away at for years. But mindfulness has redirected my attention back to the task at hand, the people in my view, and the day that it is today. I have access to any time and place, but also increasingly to the present. And when I am in the present moment, I have more gratitude for the little things that I notice around me. meditated, the prompt asked me to let my mind wander. I was at the lifetime height of my anxiety, so my thoughts crescendoed, rising to a self-deprecating tsunami. Then it asked me to focus back on my breath, and for a brief moment, the tsunami stopped building. I was at peace. When the meditation ended, the tsunami eventually crashed, and I cried and cried. Partially because the of the realization that I was not my thoughts, nor the things people say to or about me. For a brief moment, I was able to move away from those thoughts — to pause a tsunami.

Whether you are considering mindfulness because of your belief in science or your belief in spirituality, the journey is the same. Start with the apps, then once you understand the process, try to give yourself that guidance on your own. Trust yourself — you are capable of more than you think. Make it a habit and practice every day. And lastly, be kind to yourself. Mindfulness will not immediately feel as if is restlessness you may not have expected, thought patterns that may surprise you, gratitude that may overwhelm you. It is healing in the most beautiful way — entirely by yourself.

The Ink of Our Skin

WRITING

Husein Esufally

MODELING

Nathan Castro Husein Esufally

PHOTOGRAPHY

Jordan Alves

DESIGN

Thandiwe Tembo

A blank canvas may be appealing to some, but what if it is splashed with an array of paints and transformed beyond its static origin? In the tattoos that we bear, the activity, texture, and authenticity of the artwork is resonant within ourselves. Everyone has an identity that colors them in a unique way, much like a blank canvas. Our individuality is the central pillar that allows us to accomplish the things that were once thought impossible. At a time where individuality is being pushed to the forefront, why are distinct markers of our personal identity being scrutinized? Not only are our tattoos imbued with a deep personal notion, but their decoration on our body is an eternal reminder of a timeless message — a promise to yourself.

Perhaps there are more sensible ways to better yourself. But just as prayer is precious to some and redundant to others, tattoos gather various points of view — is it an art form or the signature of the devil? Regardless, the power of the tattoo lies in its ability to communicate through a series of words, emblems, or colors. There is a certain unspoken attachment between a tattoo and its holder. Discovering your tattoo is an exciting time as you take a pilgrimage within yourself.

For some, that may be searching for the energy to heal wounds that have tormented you for too reminds you to awaken your will, harness your strength, and embrace your character. The making of a meaningful tattoo demands that you be both insightful and creative, generating artwork that As you age, so do your tattoos. Their meanings will be as rich in 80 years as they were the day you got inked. They become checkpoints of your growth and markers of your identity.

ingraining pigments onto the body. Various tribes across the globe, such as those in the Tahitian and Polynesian islands, openly practiced tattooing as a rite of passage for their members. The nature of the design indicated the hierarchy within the community, distinguishing both fresh recruits and wise elders.

However, an antithetical ideology began to circulate, one that denounced the art form. This stigma against tattoos manifested for several reasons. For example, tattooing was used as an exclusive branding mechanism for criminals and prisoners in Japan’s Edo Period, and during World War II, the Nazis carved numbers on bodies for bureaucratic record keeping. The spread of these practices constructed a powerful, misguided portrayal of tattooing that equated it to savagery and blasphemy. The failure to highlight the cultural value of tattoos and the vision of tattoo artists cast a nefarious shadow over the art form. The art of tattooing is regaining traction as many paired with the rising activism and awareness of the tattoo artist community. It is being revamped as a prominent form of self-expression and appreciated for its anecdotal nature. The latter heavily

My philosophy for tattoos leans on two pillars — personal and minimalistic. It took me a few years to cultivate my insignia in order to ensure that my tattoo would resonate with me throughout my life. To this end, I now bear a tattoo of the date I came out, engraved on my inner right bicep. I always joke that I was the last person to my own coming out, but I struggled with confessing my sexuality mindset — on its head. Who could imagine those

one of the most treasured gifts I have given myself, as it is an oath to be brave, sensitive, and unapologetically myself. Any time homophobia decides to creep under my skin, I glance at my arm, and I am reminded of the vow I made.

If done right, tattoos can transform your body into a personalized art gallery that journals your life experiences. Originality stands at the frontier of exhumes beauty, for the captivating nature of the tattoo is not the art alone, but its relationship to the bearer. It may take some time, but you owe it to yourself to choose a design that embodies your story.

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