Meditation Is The Practice, Mindfulness Is The Path

This meditation begins with a brief explanation of meditation and mindfulness, followed by a guided practice to help you strengthen present-moment awareness. Throughout the practice, you’ll be invited to notice your breath, your body, and the sounds around you, and gently return your attention whenever the mind wanders. This simple process of noticing and returning is the foundation of mindfulness practice.

Transcript

Welcome. Before we begin, I'd like to briefly explain the difference between meditation and mindfulness, Because understanding this can change how we practice. Meditation is something we do. It's a period of time we set aside to practice paying attention. Mindfulness is how we live. It's the ability to be present and aware of our lives as they are actually happening. So meditation is the practice. Mindfulness is the skill. Every time you notice your mind wander and gently bring it back, You are strengthening mindfulness and you are strengthening your ability to be present in your life. So let's begin by getting comfortable. Let your hands rest in your lap or by your side. And either lower your gaze or close your eyes, Whatever feels best for you. Take a slow breath in and a long breath out. Now bring your attention to your breath. I'm not changing it or controlling it. Just simply notice it. The air moving in and out. Just let your breath be natural. When your mind wanders, Gently bring it back to the breath. Now bring your attention to where you feel the breath most clearly. Maybe at your nose, Your chest, Or your belly. Just rest your attention there. Your mind will likely wander. If you start to think about your day, Conversation or memory, Just bring it back to the breath. And it's the moment that you notice you're thinking. That is mindfulness. Noticing is mindfulness. And when we notice, When we're meditating, We gently bring our attention back to the breath. Breathing in, Breathing out. And once again, If your mind is wandering, Simply notice and bring it back. Rest. Wander. Notice and return. This is the practice. Now start to expand your attention to your body. Notice the weight of your body. Where your body is touching the chair or the floor, Whatever is beneath you. Notice any sensations. Warmth. Coolness. Pressure. Maybe tingling. There's no need to change anything. Simply notice. Now notice the sounds around you. Near sounds and far sounds. Just let the sounds come and go. No need to name them. Just simply notice what you're hearing. Now bring your attention back to the breath. Breathing in, Breathing out. And if thoughts come, Just notice them and come back to the breath. The goal is not to stop your thoughts, But to notice them and come back. Because every time you notice and return, You are strengthening mindfulness. Strengthening your ability to be present for your life. Now take a slightly deeper breath in. And a long breath out. Feel your body again. Feel the room around you. Notice this moment. Nothing to fix. Nowhere to go. Just this breath. This body. This moment. As we come to a close, Remember meditation is the time we set aside to practice. Mindfulness is what happens in the rest of your life. Every time you notice your breath, Your body, Your thoughts, You are being mindful. Take one more slow breath in. And a slightly longer breath out. And when you're ready, You can open your eyes. And see if you can carry this awareness into the next moment of your day. Thank you for meditating with me today. Be well.