Mindfulness means paying attention
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Some of the greatest benefits from mindfulness come from really seeing ourselves from the inside out, dispassionately, as a non-judgmental observer. Mindfulness is simply observing, watching, examining. You are not a judge, but a scientist. When we learn to be more mindful, we learn to live more in the present and less either ruminating on the past, or rehearsing the future. Mindfulness frees up a wealth of energy that can be diverted to creativity, healing, and the abundance in life that can only be found in the present moment, allowing us to live our lives fully. Mindfulness can be developed through both formal and informal practice. Developing a more concentrated and flexible mind and heart is essential. We can only really learn when we are here, present and inquisitive. Interest is a key ingredient, which leads to an ever-expanding inner and outer world. Learning to say YES to exploring everything – thoughts, emotions, sensations, and mental processes can lead to an inner knowing how to work with and cope with stressful situations, improve self esteem, to find more ease and contentment in all of life, both the pleasant and unpleasant aspects. An increased awareness enables us to respond to situations with choice rather than react automatically. We do this by becoming more aware of where our attention is and deliberately changing the focus of attention over and over again. Mindfulness is not about trying to get anywhere but simply to be aware of where you are. It is about allowing yourself to be where you are as you are. "Mindfulness is open-hearted awareness, shaped by curiosity and compassion" |
What Mindfulness Is Not:
Mindfulness is not positive thinking.
Mindfulness is not about having only good feelings. It does not help you to get rid of unwanted feelings, but to actually feel them. That is why it is often said that mindfulness is not for the fainthearted. Our usual reaction to uncomfortable or distressing feelings is to push them away and try to get rid of them. With mindfulness we learn to turn towards the difficulties, challenges and pain in our lives with an attitude of allowing and kindness. This is a gentle process, not a forceful one, and it happens gradually as we build emotional strength and resilience. Resistance and avoidance require a lot of energy and when we let them go and allow ourselves and our experience to be as they are we find that we free up a lot of energy which can now go into seeing more clearly, making wiser choices and taking wiser action. |
Mindfulness is not relaxation.
Becoming more relaxed may be a welcome by-product of mindfulness practice, but it is not the aim. As we develop mindfulness we begin to see our lives, our behaviours and relationships more clearly and this is not always easy. That is why the attitude we bring to the practice is one of kindness, patience and self-compassion.
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