Mindfulness is a state of being present and fully engaged in the present moment, without judgment or distraction. It involves paying attention to one’s thoughts and feelings, as well as the world around us, in a non-reactive way. This means that rather than reacting automatically to thoughts and emotions, we allow them to pass through our awareness without getting caught up in them. The practice of mindfulness has been shown to have a number of benefits, including reduced stress and anxiety, improved mental and physical well-being, and increased focus and productivity. In this blog post, we’ll explore the concept of mindfulness, the simple secret of mindfulness (what I believe is life’s most important realization), and provide a practical guide to incorporating it into your daily life.
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Mindfulness and Acceptance of What IS
Mindfulness is not about suppressing or avoiding difficult thoughts and emotions, but rather about acknowledging and accepting them as a natural part of life. It involves a sense of curiosity and openness, rather than avoidance or resistance.
Mindfulness is often associated with the practice of meditation, however it can also be practiced in everyday activities such as walking, eating, or brushing your teeth! Moving meditation practices like yoga and tai chi are a great way to practise mindfulness as they tend to be easier than sitting meditation and they give you the added benefit of a physical workout. Which ever way you practise, the key to mindfulness is to bring a sense of presence and awareness to whatever activity you are doing, rather than allowing your mind to wander or getting caught up in distractions.
Moving Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening Through Movement
Moving meditation is a type of meditation that involves incorporating physical movements into the practice of meditation. The movements may be slow and deliberate, such as in tai chi or qigong, or they may be more active and dynamic, such as in yoga or dance.
The goal of moving meditation is to quiet the mind and focus on the present moment while engaging in the physical movements. It can help reduce stress, increase mindfulness, and improve overall well-being.
Some common examples of moving meditation practices include walking meditation, yoga, tai chi, qigong, and even activities such as running or swimming when performed with a mindful and focused intention.
Mindfulness: A Practical Guide To Awakening Through Yoga
Mindfulness Yoga is a practice that combines the physical postures and movements of yoga with mindfulness meditation techniques. It is a form of moving meditation that emphasizes the awareness of breath, body sensations, and mental states during the practice of yoga.
In mindfulness yoga, the focus is on being present in the moment, observing the body and breath, and releasing any distracting thoughts or emotions. This allows the practitioner to cultivate a deeper sense of relaxation, self-awareness, and inner peace.
Some of the key elements of mindfulness yoga include slow, deliberate movements, conscious breathing, and the use of guided meditation or visualization techniques. It can be practiced by people of all ages and fitness levels, and is especially beneficial for those looking to reduce stress, increase self-awareness, and improve overall well-being.
Mindfulness: A Practical Guide To Awakening Through Tai Chi
Tai chi, also known as tai chi chuan, is a Chinese martial art that is often practiced for its health benefits. It involves a series of slow, graceful movements that are performed in a meditative and mindful way.
The practice of tai chi is based on the principles of Chinese medicine, and is designed to balance the flow of energy, or “qi,” in the body. It can promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve physical and mental well-being.
In addition to the physical movements, tai chi also incorporates breathing techniques and meditation, which help to focus the mind and deepen the relaxation response.
Tai chi is a low-impact exercise that can be practiced by people of all ages and fitness levels. It is often recommended for older adults, as it can improve balance, flexibility, and coordination, and help prevent falls.
There are different styles of tai chi as well as different lengths of each form. Short forms usually have 37 movements while long forms generally have 108 movements. One of the most popular is the Yang style short form, which I have been practicing for over 20 years. I find it relaxing, energizing and enjoyable, realizing all the benefits mentioned above.
Tai chi is mainly done slowly. However, it can be done at different speeds depending on what you would like to focus on. Slower speeds for relaxation and balance and quicker speeds for martial arts applications and greater aerobic benefits.
Mindfulness: A Practical Guide To Awakening Through Qi Gong
Qi Gong also known as chi kung or chi gong, is a Chinese practice that combines physical movements, breathing techniques, and meditation to improve overall health and well-being. The practice is also based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, and is designed to balance the flow of energy, or “qi,” in the body.
Qigong involves a series of slow, gentle movements that are coordinated with deep breathing and visualization techniques. It is often described as a moving meditation, as it promotes a deep sense of relaxation and mindfulness.
The practice of qigong has been shown to have many health benefits, including reducing stress, improving circulation and flexibility, boosting the immune system, and reducing chronic pain. It can be practiced by people of all ages and fitness levels, and can be modified to suit individual needs.
Sitting Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening with a Simple Mindfulness Meditation
Sitting mindfulness meditation is a practice in which an individual sits in a comfortable position and focuses their attention on the present moment. This can involve paying attention to one’s breath, bodily sensations, thoughts, or emotions, without judgment or attachment.
The goal of sitting mindfulness meditation is to cultivate a state of mindfulness, which is the ability to be fully present and aware of one’s experiences without being overwhelmed or reactive to them. Regular practice of sitting mindfulness meditation has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, improve emotional regulation, and enhance overall well-being.
During the practice, it’s normal for the mind to wander, but the goal is to bring it back to the present moment each time this happens. The practice can be done for as little as a few minutes or as long as an hour or more, and can be done alone or in a group setting.
A Simple Mindfulness Meditation
There are many different types of mindfulness meditation, and the best one for you may depend on your personal preferences and goals. However, a simple mindfulness meditation that is suitable for beginners is the following:
Find a quiet and comfortable place to sit or lie down.
Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
Focus your attention on your breath as it flows in and out of your body. You can focus on the sensation of the breath at the nostrils, or the rise and fall of the chest or belly.
Whenever you notice your mind has wandered, simply acknowledge the thought or feeling, and gently bring your attention back to the breath.
Continue to focus on your breath for a few minutes or as long as you like.
When you are ready to end the meditation, take a few deep breaths, and slowly open your eyes.
Remember, the goal of mindfulness meditation is not to stop your thoughts, but to develop a non-judgmental awareness of them. With practice, you can learn to observe your thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them, which can help reduce stress and improve your overall well-being.
The Endless NOW
Life’s most important realization is so extremly simple that most people miss it completly. The realization that there is no future or past only an endless now. You may be thinking to yourself, what bullshit! of course there is a future and past. But if you really think about it, nothing ever happens in the past or future, everything happens in the now. As Eckhart Tolle says in The Power of Now: “Nothing has happened in the past; it happened in the Now. Nothing will ever happen in the future; it will happen in the Now.”
There is a great skit in the movie Spaceballs where Dark Helmet and gang watch the future, already made movie of Spaceballs to try to catch Lone Star. The hilarity ensues with remarks like “when will then be now” and “we’re in the “now” now”. In a curious way, that is how life is. Realizing that time consists of an endless now, and realizing that deeply and to the core of your being will change your life.
Mindfulness: The Way Out of Pain
Most pain felt by humans is unnecessary. It is self-created by some form of non-acceptance and denial of the present moment. Anxiety, stress, unease, tension and all forms of fear are caused by thinking too much in the future with not enough presence. Guilt, sadness, regret, resentment, grievances, bitterness and all forms of non-forgivness are caused by thinking too much in the past and not enough presence. It may be hard to believe but a state of conciousness free of negativity is possible when you focus on the present moment and truly live mindfulness.
Mindfulness Affirmations
It is easy to get caught up in everyday life and forget about mindfulness. Along with practicing moving and sitting mindfulness practices, mindfulness affirmations are a great way to help you to remember to live in the moment. I do my mindfulness affirmations during my Wim Hoff Breathing breath holds. Other great times to do affirmations is just before bed and when you first wake up. Some mindfulness affirmations to practise:
- I Live in the present moment
- I live in the here and now
- I am the silent watcher
- I am accepting of what IS
- I live in the felt oneness of being
- I passivly witness my thoughts, feelings, emotions and inner dialogue
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in our thoughts and worries about the past or future. We often forget to fully engage with the present moment and appreciate the beauty of our surroundings. Mindfulness is a powerful tool that can help us stay grounded and present in a world that often feels overwhelming. By taking the time to focus on the present moment and engage with our surroundings, we can reduce stress, increase self-awareness, and improve our overall well-being. So, take a few minutes each day to practice mindfulness, and see how it transforms your life.
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