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How to Practice Mindfulness In Daily Life: 6 Steps  [Omar Khayyam]

By Effluo | Published February 17, 2023 | No Comments

How many of us can say we truly live in the present moment?

Our hectic lives make it too easy for us to get caught up in the past or worry about the future.

But what if you could learn to be in the here and now?

This is called mindfulness.  To be aware of each moment as it happens, without judgment or interpretation.  This practice of mindfulness can have immense benefits for our mental and physical health. 

At Effluo, we study the teachings of great historical figures to get inspired by the lives of history’s greatest minds.  To study mindfulness, we chose to focus on the Rubaiyat written by Omar Khayyam.

Who Was Omar Khayyam?

Omar Khayyam is remembered as one of the most influential Persian scholars and poets of the 12th century.  He lived from 1048 to 1131 AD in Seljuk Empire, modern day Iran. Omar Khayyam achieved multiple impressive achievements in his lifetime. He was a mathematician, astronomer, philosopher, and a poet. 

He made major contributions to mathematics, astronomy, literature, and philosophy.  His major work in mathematics consisted of important developments in algebra.  His work on astronomical theories was instrumental in determining the length of a solar year with great accuracy.

Even though he was mainly known as a polymath, Khayyam also composed poetry.  His poetry was written in Persian and is widely known for its spiritual depth and philosophical insight.  Through his poetry, he was particularly known for advocating mindfulness, encouraging people to seize the day, be aware of the present moment and appreciate its beauty. 

His most famous collection, The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, consists of quatrains (a poetic form consisting of four lines) on the themes of love, fate, and life’s transient nature.

The Rubaiyat

  Be happy for this moment; this moment is your life.

  Omar Khayyam

Khayyam was passionate about seizing each moment (aka mindfulness) and its importance for living a meaningful life.  He wrote that we should be happy for each moment, as these moments make up our life.

Omar Khayyam’s epic poem The Rubaiyat is an excellent reminder of just that, to make the most out of our journey on Earth.

This ancient masterpiece encourages us to seize every opportunity and appreciate life’s beauty.  It serves as an important reminder that mindfulness and living in the present moment can bring us inner peace and joy.

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment.  By taking a step back and pausing, you notice and observe how you are feeling in the current moment.  

The practice of mindfulness brings you greater self-acceptance and understanding that we are all connected on a human level with similar values, aspirations, and beliefs.                              

The Benefits of Mindfulness for Your Mental and Physical Health

Mindfulness is a powerful tool that can help you get in tune with your mental and physical state.  By helping you be more aware of your thoughts and feelings, it can lead to a more accepting and compassionate attitude toward yourself and others.     

Having the ability to focus on the present moment instead of worrying about the future or dwelling on the past can help bring clarity and peace to your life.

Benefits of mindfulness include:

•   Reducing stress
•   Improving sleep quality
•   Enhancing your well-being
•   Boosting mental clarity
•   Increasing physical stamina
•   Promoting creativity 

Investing in your mental and physical health through mindfulness promises to help unlock a fresher outlook for a positive tomorrow!

How To Practice Mindfulness in Daily Life According to Omar Khayyam

There are different ways of incorporating mindfulness into daily life.  Examples of mindful habits include exercises such as yoga, mindfulness meditation, and focusing on deep breaths. 

Finding a good resource to read and learn from is essential, as books, blogs, and courses can provide valuable insights into what mindfulness truly is and how you can start incorporating it into your day-to-day life.  At Effluo, we chose to study the works of Omar Khayyam because of his timeless wisdom.

In the study of Omar Khayyam Rubaiyat, the following themes were extracted:

1. Make Time For Yourself Each Day
2. Time is Precious, Be Grateful for Each Day
3. Remain Open Minded
4. Be Intentional with Your Actions
5. Be Kind to Yourself
6. Connect with Nature and Live for Today

Let us then dive into each quatrain separately.

1  Make Time For Yourself Each Day

  Awake!  For Morning in the Bowl of Night

  Has flung the Stone that puts the Stars to Flight:

  And Lo!  The Hunter of the East has caught

  The Sultan’s Turret in a Noose of Light.

  Omar Khayyam

Khayyam begins his poem with a powerful word, AWAKE.   He then elaborates that in addition to waking up, we should pay attention to the night passing away and the new day beginning.  Pay attention to each seemingly mundane and yet miraculous moment. 

One of the simple ways to add mindfulness to daily activities is to set aside some time each day to focus on your breath and allow yourself to be present in the moment.  Even if it’s just 5 minutes early in the morning.  Find a place of stillness or peace in your home, grab yourself some tea or coffee and close your eyes.  Bringing awareness to your breathing is a great place to start, allowing your body and mind to relax into this stillness – however long you choose.

2  Time is Precious, Be Grateful for Each Day

  Dreaming when Dawn’s Left Hand was in the Sky

  I heard a Voice within the Tavern cry,

  “Awake, my Little ones, and fill the Cup

  Before Life’s Liquor in its Cup be dry.”

  Omar Khayyam

Next, in the poem, Omar Khayyam reminds us that it is important to ‘fill the cup’ before the time on this Earth runs out.  What you choose to ‘fill the cup’ with is completely up to you. 

It is important to remember that the choice is yours; therefore, there can not be a wrong answer. 

It can be filled with the following:

•   To-do lists and productivity pursuits
•   Your goals and aspirations
•   Your relationships and experiences.  

In addition to all of these wonderful things, remember to fill your cup with gratitude.  It will ensure that your cup is filled with positivity and happiness.

Practice gratitude – each day, take a few moments to think about things that you’re grateful for in your life.  This could include family members, friends, pets, or simply being alive!  Add this practice to your morning routine or at the end of the day.

Keeping a gratitude journal is a great way to bring awareness and mindfulness to your life on a larger scale.  You will become aware of the blessings in your life and fill your cup with these blessings.

3  Remain Open Minded

  Ah, my Beloved, fill the Cup that clears

  TODAY of past Regrets and future Fears-

  Tomorrow?—Why, Tomorrow I may be

  Myself with Yesterday’s Sev’n Thousand Years.

  Omar Khayyam

Let go of past regrets and future fears.  In other words, practice self-acceptance and open-mindedness.

If something doesn’t go according to plan, don’t get too caught up in it.  Instead, accept what has happened and move on from it.  Allow yourself to let go of negative thoughts and experiences.

Likewise, do not stress and allow fears of the future drive your life and decision-making.  Know that you have made it so far and overcame the challenges that you faced.   Therefore, know that you will overcome anything that will stand in your way in the future.

4  Be Intentional with Your Actions

  Ah, make the most of what we yet may spend,

  Before we too into the Dust Descend;

  Dust into Dust, and under Dust, to lie,

  Sans Wine, sans Song, sans Singer and—sans End!

  Omar Khayyam

Omar Khayyam again reminds us of the fleeting aspect of life.  Each moment is meaningful and beckons us to make the most of the time that we may yet have left.

Be intentional with your actions.  Mindfully carry out the most mundane tasks throughout the day, such as brushing your teeth or making tea.  Pay attention to the sensations that you experience during these activities.

Another excellent way to be more mindful of your surroundings is to take a few intentional deep breaths throughout the day.  Start with just a few breaths per day, then gradually add more as you can.  Pay attention to how the breath feels in your body and how it influences your mood or perspective on life.

Consider incorporating some or all of the following mindfulness skills into your daily practice:

•   Mindful eating
•   Mindful walking
•   Moving meditation
•   Mindful listening
•   Mindful breathing

Taking inventory of sensations throughout the day allows you to be fully aware of specific moments.

5  Be Kind to Yourself

  Then to this earthen Bowl did I adjourn

  My Lip the secret Well of Life to learn:

  And Lip to Lip it murmur’d

  —“While you live, Drink!—

  for once dead, you never shall return.”

  Omar Khayyam

This is a powerful reminder from Omar Khayyam not only to live in the moment but to enjoy life.  “While you live, Drink!”

Enjoy your life, and that means enjoying every part of your life.  Laugh at your mistakes, and don’t take yourself too seriously.  Be easygoing and forgiving of others. 

Be kind to yourself.  Show compassion towards yourself when you make mistakes or have difficulty managing your emotions.  Let go of the thoughts of self-criticism, accept your mistakes and learn from them.  It will do wonders for your mental health.  Remember that everyone makes mistakes sometimes – including you!

Practicing mindfulness daily gives you an opportunity for peace and self-love so that you can move forward with more connectedness within yourself.

6 Connect with Nature and Live for Today

  Ah, fill the Cup:—what boots it to repeat

  How time is slipping underneath our Feet:

  Unborn TOMORROW and dead YESTERDAY,

  Why fret about them if TODAY be sweet!

  Omar Khayyam

Finally, Omar Khayyam points to the fact that yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is still unborn.  Why stress about them if today is sweet. 

Make the most of each day. 

Spending time outdoors, walking in nature, can help you feel grounded and connected with the world around you.  Take a few deep breaths while you appreciate the beauty of nature.  This time outside will improve your mental and physical health resulting in increased exercise and less stress in your daily lives.

How To Practice Mindfulness in Daily Life Summary

We are fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from Omar Khayyam and his timeless message of mindfulness.  Let’s take a few moments each day to be mindful and appreciate all that life has to offer.  Doing so will make our journey here on Earth even more meaningful and joyful!

1.   Make Time For Yourself Each Day
2.   Time is Precious, Be Grateful for Each Day
3.   Remain Open Minded
4.   Be Intentional with Your Actions
5.   Be Kind to Yourself
6.   Connect with Nature and Live for Today

Take a few moments each day to be mindful and appreciate all that life has to offer.  Practice mindfulness, seize every opportunity and make the most out of our journey here on Earth!  With mindfulness comes peace, joy, and meaning. 

  With Earth’s first Clay, They did the Last Man’s knead,

  And then of the Last Harvest sow’d the Seed:

  Yea, the first Morning of Creation wrote

  What the Last Dawn of Reckoning shall read

Omar Khayyam

So, let’s take inspiration from Omar Khayyam and strive to be mindful of every moment!

Omar Khayyam answered our question of how to practice mindfulness in daily life by reminding us that our life is just a moment. By remembering the fleeting passing of time seize the day and grab each moment as it comes your way.

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