What is Mindfulness?

mind·ful·ness – According to the Oxford dictionary mindfulness means the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something / a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.

In mindfulness meditation, we’re learning how to pay attention to the breath as it goes in and out, and notice when the mind wanders from this task. This practice of returning to the breath builds the muscles of attention and mindfulness.

Here are five reasons to use mindfulness/meditate:

Understanding your pain
Lower your stress
Connect better
Improve focus
Reduce brain chatter

Getting Started:

Sit comfortably on the floor or in a chair with your back straight. Let your hands rest in your lap.
Close your eyes and relax your facial muscles, allowing your jaw to go slack.
Concentrate on your breathing. Notice how your chest rises and fall with each inhalation and exhalation.
Allow your thoughts to come and go, don’t limit yourself.
Stay here as long as you feel comfortable, enjoying the clarity this simple exercise can bring.

1. Set a timer for five minutes to start. (You have one on your smart phone.)

2. Sit with your spine erect (straight). Posture is important.

3. Notice and then concentrate on your breath as best as you can.

4. Your mind will go crazy. It doesn’t like this (that’s your ego).

5. Notice your mind going crazy, then return to your breath.

6. Your mind will go crazy again.

7. It’s all about focusing on your breathing.

8. Repeat this until your timer goes off.

Mindfulness can help us to feel calmer and more focused. It can help us find joy in tasks that we don’t like, and be less judgmental, and allow us to channel negative energy and push it out the way. Training your mind to be concerned with nothing more than this very second can have the most wonderful effect on your sense of well-being – try see for yourself.