Mindfulness is described as a way of being by cultivating attention and deepening your awareness through paying attention on purpose in the present moment non-judgmentally.
This is the definition by Jon Kabat-Zinn,
The founder of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Clinic in University of Massachusetts.
It's an excellent way to describe it.
And can I add it's also a way to reconnect to oneself.
It's a natural state and we can make a reconnection.
We're trying to connect in a way that is effortless.
We strive for so much in our lives so that when we practice mindfulness we just let this moment be as it is without trying to improve or change it.
It is simply being more present and curious in our lives without all of the unnecessary judgement and rumination that can weigh us down.
It's valuable to point out that this is a way of being rather than a tip or a tool.
There are lots of tools and guidance for practice such as the body scan,
Mindful movement and meditation.
But ultimately it is just to be present without an expectation or a desire of how you want things to be.
Embodiment.
This is a key aspect.
Can we feel,
Can we experience the moment and our emotions in our bodies to allow us to connect and to process life.
We are finding equilibrium in the ups and downs.
The present moment is the only time that we can be in our own bodies to communicate,
Breathe,
Use our sense of smell,
Just giving a moment to think about that.
We cannot breathe for the future so if we are not present with the breath now then where are we?
Some place in time that doesn't really exist.
We can imagine the future but it may not work out exactly like that.
So we are missing out on the present moment and our lives are passing us by.
We have a capacity for awareness and we are developing and we are training it.
A chance to get a break from the constant thinking and depressive rumination which can cause tiredness,
Stress.
A single negative thought can be picked up very quickly by the body and cause sadness which can then spiral out of control into thinking for example I am no good,
I cannot do this and on and on.
If we can adopt this practice it can provide space to explore our emotions and to navigate the challenges in life.
When we reduce stress which can be so depleting on our resources,
Our energy and our creativity increases.
Focus improves.
We make better choices around food and exercise and overall we enjoy a better way of life with a sense of contentment.
