How to practice mindfulness while the mind is distracted?

Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh: “Mindfulness” means presence in the present moment. You are eating, you know that you are eating. You are walking, you know that you are walking. If your mind goes far away, let’s pull it back to the activities of present. Mindfulness brings life, enjoyment and joy to you. It’s an energy to help you in the present.

For example, if there are very noise around you. You can put the noise to be a mindfulness’ object. “Breath in, I listen to noise. Breath out, I smile with noise”. The practice using your suffering and pain to be the mindfulness’s object helping the energies of understanding and love arise in your heart.

In the class, a woman has complained that her roommate snoring loudly, so she couldn’t sleep. After learning mindfulness practicing, she used the snore as a bell of mindfulness to rise love. “Breath in, I know having a snore. Breath out, I smile with the snore”. After 10 mins, she has been in the sleep well. It’s such an magical discovery hers.