In a quiet, serene space surrounded by soft light and gentle stillness, I sat down with mindfulness coach Niroshi Embuldeniya to explore the essence of mindfulness. As we spoke, she introduced me to a powerful metaphor - the lion’s mindset.

Pictured: Niroshi Embuldeniya

"Imagine showing a bone to a dog and throwing it far away," she began. "The dog, caught up in excitement and instinct, will immediately chase after it. This is because tunnel vision fully consumes the dog and fixates on the bone. But if you do the same with a lion, the bone won’t distract it. Instead, it will stay still, observing you with a keen gaze or it will attack you if it perceives you as a threat. The lion sees the bigger picture, while the dog reacts impulsively."

Niroshi explained that this analogy illustrates how external triggers - stress, negativity, or societal pressures - can pull us in various directions if we allow them to. "When we develop a lion’s mindset, we learn to focus on what truly matters instead of reacting to every distraction that comes our way."

The Power of Perspective

Mindfulness, as she described it, is not just about meditation or breathing exercises - it is about shifting our perspective and our sense of awareness by being the knower of a situation rather than being the doer. "How we perceive events dictates our experience of them," she said. "When faced with adversity, we can either see it as an obstacle or as an opportunity for growth. Mindfulness gives us the ability to pause and choose our response rather than being overwhelmed by our reactions."

Curiosity, she noted, plays a key role in this practice. "Children don’t label experiences as ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ They explore everything with a sense of wonder. If we adopt that mindset, we engage with life more openly, reducing stress and increasing resilience."

Shifting from Reactivity to Awareness

Niroshi highlighted how our daily experiences are filled with triggers - work stress, social media, and personal relationships. "These external factors can dictate our emotions if we let them. But mindfulness teaches us to approach everything with awareness; to pause, observe, and make conscious choices."

She offered a simple exercise: "When something upsets you, instead of immediately reacting, try this: Pause and become mindful of your breath and let yourself calm down. Listen to your emotions and feel where those are arising from within you. Observe yourself without judgment and respond with intention rather than impulse."

She smiled and added, "This is how we shift from being reactive, like the dog, to being mindful and aware, like the lion. It’s about regaining control over our emotional state and decision-making ability."

Understanding Mindfulness in Daily Life

"Quality of life is not all about material possessions," she reflected. "It’s about the relationship you have with yourself and how you interact with your environment and those around you. Quality of life comes from an inner sense of peace we cultivate within ourselves.”

She likened emotions to a pressure cooker. "If you don’t release pressure, it builds up until it explodes. That’s what happens when we ignore emotions. Mindfulness is about recognizing and processing these feelings in healthy ways - through journaling, talking to someone, or self-reflection/ meditation."

The Illusion of Perfection

As our conversation drew to a close, she shared an important insight about perfection. "Many people chase perfection, believing it is the key to happiness. But happiness is not a final destination, it is a mindset- it’s something we can access at any time. Perfection is an illusion, much like buying a new car and expecting it to bring lasting happiness. In reality, external achievements only provide temporary satisfaction. True fulfilment comes from within."

"By embracing imperfection and staying present, accepting things as they are, we free ourselves from the endless pursuit of unattainable standards. Mindfulness teaches us that happiness is available to us in every moment. We can shift our perspective and find contentment with things within our control while having the patience to accept and let go of things out of our control. Mindfulness is an attitude and a conscious choice. It is a way of living that helps you focus on the present moment bringing you joy that comes from within.”

The Importance of Oneness in Mindfulness

"At its core, mindfulness is about unity - being one with our experiences rather than resisting them," she concluded. "Whether it’s joy, sorrow, success, or failure, accepting each moment as it allows us to live with greater peace and purpose. When we embody this principle, we move through life with clarity, grace, and the strength of a lion’s mindset."

As I left our conversation, I couldn’t help but reflect on her words. In a world that constantly demands our attention, attention has become the most valuable commodity. Mindfulness offers us the power to harness that attention, teaching us when to pause, observe, and consciously choose our path, rather than letting distractions control us.