Enhance Your View On Mindfulness
Mindfulness isn't something you do that's supposed to transform your identity. It's about becoming aware and broadening your perspective on how you manage and see life. Instead of trying to numb or ignore emotions and past events that bring negative feelings to the forefront, through meditation, you are learning to recognize and sit with those feelings while giving yourself grace. No judgment. The best part is that as long as you stay consistent with practicing mindfulness, you will not only be able to be present with your thoughts and experiences, but you will eventually start to fully understand the "why" behind them too.
Mindfulness isn’t all lotus poses,sound baths, and saying, “Ommm.”
It can be, but it can also be daily tasks like taking a shower, making a cup of coffee, or journaling. The key to being mindful in everyday activities is to 1) focus on your five senses. What can you see, hear, touch, feel, taste? And 2) pay attention to your breath, and allow yourself to feel the air moving in and out of your body. There is a saying by Eckhart Tolle: "One conscious breath -- in and out -- is a meditation." When you find your mind straying from your senses or your breath, gently redirect without judgment. Being hard on yourself won't make your practice better -- in fact, that's why it's called a "practice!" We are rarely good at something the first time we try. It takes time, effort, and, most importantly, awareness of self.
Can't sit still? Try a moving meditation!
Yes, walking, yoga, and any other form of movement (including most activities) can be practiced mindfully by merely following the above principles. Go for a walk, inhale deeply, look at the trees, feet the ground crunch beneath your feet. See? You're meditating!
Get curious instead of judgemental.
When you find your brain continuing to stray away from your practice, ask yourself what discomfort you are avoiding and why. We can't shame ourselves into better behavior. Just like exercise strengthens our bodies, mindfulness enhances our minds and allows us to have more control over our thoughts — helping reduce anxiety and other cognitive issues. But it's not always comfortable. So lean into the discomfort. Ask what it has to teach you about yourself. Over time, the results will begin to amaze you.
Will you consider adding some mindfulness techniques to your daily routine?
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