Sesson three: What is mindfulness?
Oct
11
2007
11
2007
Mindfulness is about being a nonjudgmental observer and simply seeing clearly, or seeing things as they really are in the present moment of time. It is a calming process without the emotions, frustrations and feeling states that can cloud your perspective of the world. In being aware of what you are experiencing you are not anticipating something in the future, nor are you reflecting back on past experience or events (usually upsetting and negative ones).
In the exercises above you have been applying awareness to your breath, however, this can be expanded to all physical and mental processes in becoming mindful of thoughts and actions as they are occuring in the present. The process of mindfulness is the development of your ability to pay attention to, and acknowledge, your experience in the present moment, to what is going on in your mind, your body, and your life without making judgments. A good analogy is to imagine sitting by the bank of a stream while you observe your thoughts and images floating by on the water. Be aware of sensations that arise from within your body (not though thinking about them in your head). Be mindful of these sensations without having any particular purpose in doing so. Tune into the sounds around you as sounds without interpreting them or thinking about them. After this you might then return to paying attention to your natural breathing process. By seeing things as they really are you will reduce distractions and begin to feel calmer.
To sum up, mindfulness is a method of paying attention to the present moment that originated in Eastern meditation practice. It has been described as 'bringing one's complete attention to the present experience on a moment-to-moment basis' or as 'paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally'. Many people are constantly engaged in a struggle with their life experiences and are swept away by their thoughts, feelings, urges and desires to move on, to consume more or whatever. In this context mindfulness can assist both to reduce, and control, anxiety and worry. The most important sensations you will ever have are the ones you are experiencing right now in the present moment.
In the exercises above you have been applying awareness to your breath, however, this can be expanded to all physical and mental processes in becoming mindful of thoughts and actions as they are occuring in the present. The process of mindfulness is the development of your ability to pay attention to, and acknowledge, your experience in the present moment, to what is going on in your mind, your body, and your life without making judgments. A good analogy is to imagine sitting by the bank of a stream while you observe your thoughts and images floating by on the water. Be aware of sensations that arise from within your body (not though thinking about them in your head). Be mindful of these sensations without having any particular purpose in doing so. Tune into the sounds around you as sounds without interpreting them or thinking about them. After this you might then return to paying attention to your natural breathing process. By seeing things as they really are you will reduce distractions and begin to feel calmer.
To sum up, mindfulness is a method of paying attention to the present moment that originated in Eastern meditation practice. It has been described as 'bringing one's complete attention to the present experience on a moment-to-moment basis' or as 'paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally'. Many people are constantly engaged in a struggle with their life experiences and are swept away by their thoughts, feelings, urges and desires to move on, to consume more or whatever. In this context mindfulness can assist both to reduce, and control, anxiety and worry. The most important sensations you will ever have are the ones you are experiencing right now in the present moment.
Posted by Richard Taylor in Mindfulness. Comments
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