Mindfulness
There's been a buzz about Mindfulness, lately. It was even on the cover of Time Magazine in February, 2014. Well, what is it?
Mindfulness is the opposite of mindlessness, sometimes called autopilot. Autopilot occurs when we do something routine, when driving, showering or eating, just to name a few examples. It''s when you get caught up in your thoughts and have little awareness about what you're actually doing. Sometimes, I catch myself driving to work instead of going to the store, because my mind is on something else entirely.
Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn has described mindfulness as, "moment to moment, non-judgmental awareness cultivated by paying attention." It involves a, "relaxed state of awareness that observes both your inner world of thoughts, feelings and sensations, and the outer world of constantly changing phenomena without trying to control anything." It is being present in the moment, being aware of what is happening right here and now.
Mindfulness has been researched by psychologists and has been shown to be associated with improved mood, decreased symptoms of depression and anxiety and increased pain tolerance.
When I first learned about mindfulness, the concept seemed simple. Then, I began my practice and realized how hard it actually is to maintain mindfulness throughout the day. But, life is a progression, so I keep trying. It gets easier.
There are certain Mindfulness Attitudes that people can practice.
with yourself, others and the world
Beginner's Mind
see everything as if for the first time
Trust
in yourself, your thoughts and feelings
Non-Striving
you are good enough just as you are
you do not need to do or be anything to be loved or accepted
Acceptance
experience thoughts, feelings and events fully and without defense
Non-Judgment
notice your thoughts and feelings, but don''t get involved in their content
try not to like or dislike, just notice
Let Go
allow thoughts and feelings to come and go freely
try not to attach to them, but catch, release and let them flow naturally, even when a thought comes again and again, respecting that thought, acknowledging it and then letting it go, to be replaced with another thought
