What Is Mindfulness?
Dealing With Life’s Challenges Using Mindfulness
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not too overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. Whenever you bring awareness to what you’re directly experiencing via your senses, or to your state of mind via your thoughts and emotions, you are being mindful.
Anyone can do mindfulness practice there are no obstacles. It doesn’t matter how old you are or what your physical ability is. We all already have the capacity to be present, and it doesn’t require us to change who we are. With simple practices they can benefit us in many ways
The Basics of Mindfulness Practice
Mindfulness helps us put some space between ourselves and our reactions, breaking down our trained responses.
Mindfulness is available to us in every moment, whether through meditations or mindful moment practices like taking time to pause and breathe when the door bell rings instead of hurrying to answer it.
How to Use Mindfulness in Your Day
Set aside some time. Observe the present moment as it is. The aim of mindfulness is not quieting the mind the goal is simple we are aiming to pay attention to the present moment, without judgement. When we notice judgements arise during our practice, we can make a mental note of them, and let them pass.
Be gentle to your wandering mind. Don’t judge yourself for whatever thoughts crop up, practice recognizing when your mind has wandered off, and gently bring it back. It takes practice the idea is to just keep doing it and results will ensue.
Breathing Techniques
Start by breathing in and out slowly. One breath cycle should last for approximately 6 seconds. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth, letting your breath flow effortlessly in and out of your body.
Let go of your thoughts. Let go of things you have to do later today that need your attention. Simply let thoughts rise and fall of their own accord and be at one with your breath. Purposefully watch your breath, focusing your sense of awareness on its pathway as it enters your body and fills you with life.
Then watch with your awareness as it works its way up and out of your mouth and its energy disperses into the world. If you enjoyed one minute of this mind-calming exercise increasing to two or three minutes.
Mindful Observation
This exercise is simple but extremely powerful it helps you notice and appreciate seemingly simple elements of your environment in a more profound way.
Choose a natural object from within your immediate environment and focus on watching it for a minute or two. This could be a flower or even the clouds or the moon.
Don’t do anything except notice the thing you are looking at. Simply relax into watching for as long as your concentration allows. Look at this object as if you are seeing it for the first time. Visually explore every aspect of its formation, and allow yourself to be consumed by its presence. Allow yourself to connect with its energy and its purpose within the natural world.
With regular practice of mindfulness exercises, rather than being led by emotions influenced by past experiences and fears of future events. we have the ability to be in the present moment and deal with life’s challenges in a clear-minded and peaceful way.