Oops....I guess my Mind has been in other places then the PB blog since it's beed a long time since my last post!  And it's no excuse for missing my intention to post here, but perhaps it's because I'm working with the second Yoga Sutra of Patanjali:

Yogas Chitta Vritti Nirodaha

Yoga is the intentional observation and release of the self defeating thought forms in the individuated mind

Wow, that's a lot, but what it's really saying is that when we are able to observe our minds being distracted by memories or fantasies (past / future) and we are able to 'release' those distractions, then we are in the state of Yoga, or union. 

This is the essence of mindfulness when we are able to be present to what is happening in the moment.  It is also important for us to realize that when we catch our minds wandering, that it's OK....in fact, that is what our minds think their job is!  To remind us of things, to plan for things, to give us 'identity'.  And as important as these things are for us to live in our daily life on Earth, we humans are also are able to use our minds to expand our consciousness.  It may seem like an oxymoron (two opposing ideas) but we can use our minds to realize that the connections we hunger for most in our lives exist BEYOND what our simple minds can handle!  So as we are in the constant ongoing practice of being mindful / present / here we can be patient with ourselves, compassionate with ourselves and be mindful of what is happening now and what our part is in it.

For me...I am now in Palma de Mallorca in a wonderful flat overlooking the Mediterranean.  It is warm and there is sweat on my brow, there is a slight breeze against my skin and I am feeling connected to the PB community through this on-line forum.  With my travels and various teaching events, I have found a great sense of comfort in maintining a 'virtual' friendship with many of you and I realize that technology gives us a great opportunity to be mindfully connected and realize our inherent spiritual connection.