With A Peaceful Mind

The Dhammapada says, "speak or act with a peaceful mind, and happiness follows like a never departed shadow" (Dhp 2 Fronsdal). 

First of all, I didn't know what this actually meant. In the beginning I just spoke and acted. But after practicing mindfulness meditation for over a decade, I am beginning to understand.

It is really mindfulness that helps us enter into a peaceful mind. It's not just about being in the present moment, but being attentive to the details, the nuances. This takes practice.

One of the tricks that I learned from Sayadaw  was to slow down your movements. Slowing down, even a little bit, helps you focus closer to every step you take, every move you make. It is this level of mindfulness that helps develop a peaceful mind.