Returning to Awareness
Evening Reflection
Yesterday was Saturday, and because I had completed most of my daily responsibilities by the afternoon, I had some free time to rest and enjoy a slower pace. From the morning until the afternoon, the day felt peaceful and productive. However, as the evening arrived, I was reminded once again that peace does not automatically remain with us throughout the entire day. We need to continue practicing awareness if we want to protect it.
After finishing most of my work in the afternoon, I picked up my phone and started browsing social media. At first, I thought I would only spend a short time looking at a few things. However, one video led to another, and before I realized it, almost an hour had passed.
I suddenly became aware that I was beginning to waste my time again.
Instead of blaming myself, I simply recognized what was happening. I turned off my phone and left it in my bedroom. That small decision reminded me that mindfulness is not about never making mistakes. It is about noticing when we lose awareness and having the wisdom to return.
Because I normally do not eat dinner, I began feeling hungry later in the evening. I decided to ride my motorbike to buy some sugarcane juice. On the way and while sitting at the shop, I continued observing my mind from time to time.
I noticed how quickly the mind can move from one subject to another. It can remember the past, imagine the future, search for entertainment, or simply look for something new to occupy itself with.
After finishing a glass of sugarcane juice, I continued riding to meet a few people and have some simple conversations. I did not need anything complicated. A little communication, laughter, and human connection helped me feel refreshed.
Eventually, I returned home. I used a massage machine for a while, took a shower, and prepared myself for the final part of my evening.
Before going to bed, I completed my usual one-hour Vipassana Meditation followed by five minutes of Mettā Bhāvanā, or Loving-Kindness Meditation.
As I sat quietly, I reflected on the entire day.
The lesson was simple.
Peace does not mean that the mind never wanders. Peace means that we notice when the mind wanders and know how to return.
Social media did not destroy my peace. My lack of awareness allowed me to spend too much time there. Once I noticed it, I could make a different choice.
This experience reminded me that mindfulness is not something we practice only while sitting in meditation. It can be practiced while using a phone, riding a motorbike, drinking juice, talking with friends, taking a shower, or simply noticing our thoughts.
Every moment gives us another opportunity to return to ourselves.
Yesterday evening, I did not need to create a perfect day.
I only needed to notice, pause, choose, and return.
🌿 Reflection
Where did my mind wander today?
Did I notice it early enough to make a wiser choice?
Peace does not require us to control every thought. It asks us to become aware of where our attention is going.
🌱 Practice
Choose one ordinary activity today—using your phone, eating, walking, driving, or talking with someone.
While doing it, occasionally pause and ask:
“Where is my mind right now?”
If you discover that your attention has wandered somewhere unnecessary, do not criticize yourself.
Simply notice it, breathe, and gently return to the present moment.
💚 Blessing
May we learn to recognize when our attention is being carried away.
May we have the wisdom to put down what wastes our time and return to what truly matters.
May mindfulness accompany us not only during meditation, but throughout every ordinary moment of life.
May our minds become calmer, our choices wiser, and our evenings more peaceful.
And when we lose our awareness, may we always remember that we can pause, breathe, and return.
May we continue walking the path of mindfulness, one moment, one breath, and one wise choice at a time.
— Raksmey Koy
Art of Inner Peace
www.artofinnerpeace.com
Continue Your Journey
If today’s reflection touched your heart, I invite you to explore my books on Amazon. Each one is written to inspire mindfulness, wisdom, and inner peace. Thank you for walking this journey with me.
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