According to Vipassana meditation tradition, there are 6 sense doors we use to be completely tuned in to the six ways in which we interact with the world. They are the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind. Each of these has a distinct relationship with and impact on mindfulness. Learning about these interactions will enhance your ability to be mindful and to be present in every moment of your life.
Eyes
The eyes are often called the windows of the soul. So much of how we perceive the world is processed through the eyes. As one of the 6 sense doors, our eyes are bombarded all day with images that we must process. Often, there are images that will cause an emotional response. We can learn to process these emotions through meditation and learn to let go of what doesn’t serve us. Therefore, as part of our mindfulness process, we need to be aware of what we see and to guard what we see when we can.
Ears
The old saying goes, “and words will never hurt me”, however, that is not true. Words can wound. A good mindfulness practice can help you process the words and information that come in through the sense door of the ears. Listening to positive messages will help to cultivate love. Sound healing is another mindfulness technique that can help you reconnect with yourself and provide a space for you to process your emotions. Guard what you hear when possible.
Nose
Have you ever smelled something and it brought back a memory? For example, the smell of an apple pie baking always evokes memories of my mom as well as feelings of happiness. Be mindful of any feelings and emotions that are linked to a smell. A good mindfulness practice will help you learn to take note of those thoughts, feelings and emotions without becoming overly reactive to them.
Tongue
Taste is another sense that evokes feelings and memories. Be aware of this as you eat and drink. The best way to be mindful of this sense door is to eat without multitasking. Learn to savor the flavor and texture of what you eat and drink. This will have the added benefit of slowing your eating which improves digestion. It also allows time for the body to signal you that it is full.
Body
The body comes in contact with so many different things throughout the day. Often, we don’t even stop to process all of the things and people we come in to contact with. We have to learn to be intentional with the process of protecting the body. This comes about through mindfulness and body awareness.
Mind
The mind is busy all the time. It is the motherboard of information. Our inner story creates our outer life. We need to take note of that inner voice. Since we tend to intellectualize our experiences, be aware of what goes in, what stays in and how to let go in a healthy way.
Conclusion
The 6 sense doors provide us with so much information every day. A healthy meditation practice is the gateway to helping us process this flow of information. Meditation allows cultivation of bare attention which is the ability to be completely in an experience without being reactive, i.e. to see things as they are. Bare attention is a pillar of mindfulness. When we commit to mindfulness, we allow ourselves to see, hear, smell, taste and touch things as they are without a story or narration attached to them. We learn to notice, observe and let go.