Mindfulness and presence
Noticing the movement of attention
Joseph Siddiqi
This presentation grew out of an insight I had in my own studio practice—specifically, a connection between painting and mindfulness.
I share this with students during lectures in my painting and drawing classes. After introducing the core ideas, I invite students to try a short mindfulness practice focused on an object of their choosing. Afterward, I ask questions that help frame mindfulness not as a rigid state of concentration, but as a dynamic process of noticing, returning, and being present with experience as it unfolds.
My aim is to help students develop a deeper relationship to perception—through simple exercises that slow down the process of seeing and open up space for reflection. I’m trying to help them discover how attention works: how quickly it moves and jumps to conclusions, but also how it can settle, open, and return to the present.
Click to download a transcript of the video (PDF)
Related content
- You can read more about how noticing and attunement are also trauma-informed strategies for developing nervous-system aware learning environments in this piece by Katrina Grabner
- Anne Archambault’s three-point meditation is one way to be mindful of both the body and surroundings
- Katrina Grabner’s orienting practice can be one way to engage in mindfulness in the classroom
- Gabriela Petrov’s aimless wandering practice can be one way to engage in mindfulness both within and outside of the classroom
- Consider reading Joseph’s other pieces on mindfulness such as “What is mindfulness?”, two approaches to mindfulness, and centering stillness practice
Additional resources
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The psychology of optimal experience. Harper & Row.
