thrive and awakenTools: Mindfulness
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is being fully aware and embracing this moment.
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Benefits of Mindfulness
According to Dan Siegel, M.D., researcher and author of “Aware”, mindfulness helps the brain become more integrated; and people experience better health, less burn out, more intentional strength, and great relational empathy.
In the “Now Effect” by Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D., he summaries the research on Mindfulness as:
- You literally change the way you think before you think and break free from subconscious beliefs and old programming that don’t serve you.
- You’ll have access to more choice points in life, bringing back a feeling of aliveness and opening the doors to greater potential, opportunities, and possibilities.
- You’ll become more flexible in your decision making and responses to people and challenges.
- You’ll increase your emotional intelligence and be able to relax more effectively in moments of stress.
- You’ll be able to focus better at home and at work.
- You’ll open up to feeling more grateful, forgiving, loving, hopeful, empathetic, and compassionate – all key components of feeling good.
- You’ll tap into the wisdom that lies within you and make your intuition more reliable.
- You’ll feel more connected to yourself and others, a critical ingredient of feeling well.
- You’ll literally rewire a stronger and healthier brain.
- You’ll change your life by breaking out of the habitual patterns of living that don’t serve you.
There are lots of examples of how mindfulness leads to Flow states. The Flow states can impact creativity and participation in sports such as tennis and golf. The Resources Tool has several resources illustrating this under Mindfulness & Meditation.
As with any tool, there are precautions in using it. For example, tuning in to thoughts or emotions may trigger unresolved trauma. Although this is unusual, some people have experienced increased anxiety, selfishness, and even depression upon using meditation or mindfulness. Knowing this, it is recommended to pace yourself and have personal and/or professional support available should you need that.
Mindfulness and Meditation
Meditation is a way to practice Mindfulness. In the beginning stage of Meditation you focus your full mind on something such as the breath. If that isn’t enough to keep your focus, you may also repeat a phrase such as One-Now or So-Calm. While inhaling think the first part and on the exhale, think the second half. When the mind wanders, you accept that and gently return to the breath and phrase. This practice is developing the capacity to be Mindful, that is, a non-judgmental expanded awareness of the moment.
Meditation and Mindfulness can be done sitting, standing, or walking for a few seconds or as long as you want. Typically, a meditator works up to about 20 minutes once or twice every day for maximal benefit.
As you practice Meditation, it enhances your capacity to be Mindful throughout the day, basically extending the practice into a way of being present while you are engaged in life activities.
The beginning stage of Meditation is learning to be focused to help calm the mind and the body by giving it something peaceful to return to. As you are able to do this, the meditation frequently shifts from the object (i.e., breath & phrase) of your awareness to just being the Awareness. Awareness is like a movie screen–steady, expansive, and present with no preferences or attachments to whatever may pass by it. See the Meditation Tool for more details and sample meditations.
Sample Mindfulness Practices to Follow Along With
Eating Mindfully
Join Doug with a piece of fruit
Eating Mindfully
Join Doug with a piece of fruit
Mindful Listening
Movement of the planets by
Valentina Gribanova
Licensed by Storyblocks
You can apply Mindfulness to anything. These practices enhance your capacity to be fully present in the moment.
As you practice Mindfulness you will notice yourself, the environment, and your Deepest Nature more fully. It supports you being grateful for life as it is.
