Marking the Moment

My daughter started piano lessons and I was struck by how the teacher began each lesson by taking a moment where they both bow to each other. When the lesson is over, and before we leave the room, they bow again.

I’m struck by how it creates a space for intention. Normally, when we do tasks, we can easily just start them and during the task, become distracted, leaving the task. Installing this simple ritual sets the mind to the task, making it clear when we are starting and we are stopping.

It’s not so much that it’s a rule that you can’t stop, but by bringing that little ritual into place, you become aware of when you start and stop and it’s the awareness that matters.