Recently we seem to be hearing more about mindfulness.You may have heard that mindfulness can help decrease stress. Perhaps you have read articles about mindfulness or heard of mindfulness classes.
I love the concept of mindfulness and feel we could all benefit from living in a more mindful, conscious way.
Mindfulness is different than awareness training, which I wrote about in my last post. Awareness training helps us learn about our patterns, behaviors and thoughts. Once we notice them, we evaluate if they are unhealthy. If they are, we can shift over to healthy, more positive patterns, behaviors and thoughts.
Mindfulness is a state of BEING. It refers to the practice of living in the present moment. Mindfulness is the gentle process of simply observing what is. There is no judgment or criticism with the practice of mindfulness.
Mindfulness has it’s roots in Zen Buddhism.
When we rest into this moment in time, we become more fully engaged in what is happening right now. When we are completely in the present moment, we are not worried or anxious about tomorrow or regretful of yesterday.
When the mind becomes quiet, we can feel a greater sense of calm and peace. Mindfulness can provide us with a more joyful, richer experience.
It sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?
We all probably practice mindfulness:
- Have you ever done an activity when time slipped away and you were completely experiencing the activity?
- When we meditate or calm down with guided relaxation we are practicing mindfulness.
- When we pray, we are usually in a mindful state.
- Creative endeavors, such as painting or drawing, can bring you into a state of mindfulness.
You don’t need to wait until you are doing one of the above examples. You can be mindful anytime, anywhere. Try to be present when you are walking or jogging, eating, visiting with someone, or even driving.
Here are some ideas for living in the present moment or being mindful:
- Let yourself just BE. You don’t need to DO anything.
- Bring your attention to your breath. Follow your breath.
- Let yourself rest into this moment in time.
- Become an observer.
- You are experiencing and accepting what IS.
- Simply breathe and pay attention.
- Observe things as they are right now.
- Use your senses: See what is present. Notice smells, sounds, feelings, tastes.
- There is NO judgment or criticism, ever.
- Let the experience be what it is. Allow yourself to be as you are right now.
- Don’t reject thoughts, just acknowledge them.
- Be patient with yourself as you practice mindfulness. Most of us are new to this way of being.
- Remember: Progress not perfection. Gentleness not criticism.
Enjoy!
Take care,
Kate
