Comments on: Mindfulness Meditation: Reducing Anxiety by Focusing on the Present Moment

By: Mystic Warrior

Mystic Warrior — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 20:45:33 +0000

Mindfulness is a great way to stay in the present, eternal NOW, from which all of creation becomes accessible. When you’re in the present, there’s no time for fear, anxiety or stress.

By: Armand Promire

Armand Promire — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 06:43:59 +0000

I was with you up to the bit that goes “…all systems begin and end in silence, nothing needs solving, nothing is a problem…”

There is much that can be learned from the pracices of Buddhism and other beliefs. But I think that where upper middle class people ask those who live in another reality to take the prescriptions seriously a reality check is called for. This reality may in fact be one in which if the rent isn’t paid by 6pm (if you’re a Buddhist monk someone else wil be paying it for you) they will be living under a bridge.

The fact is of course that much of the practical material of belief systems such as Buddhism can be practiced without adhering to the theology.

As for the rest, I do believe, and would in fact argue, that the conceptual system in which anxiety and panic phenomena are represented is inadequate to the job. What are put forth as scientifically established phenomena are on reflection more of the order of social prejudices.

By: Sanjaya

Sanjaya — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 22:48:15 +0000

Mindfulness is essentially identifying the simplicity in everything around us. Our minds like to attach unnecessary emotional weight to many things that cause undue stress.The practice of mindfulness, even if it seems mundane at first trains our mind to see things as they really are…without any emotional baggage that our culture, lifestyle or religion puts on them. Your “example” of the doorway is meant to do just that.

By: Rachel - Binaural Beats

Rachel - Binaural Beats — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 18:45:55 +0000

I have also used binaural beats for quite some time and I think they definitely help with meditation. For me they are a tool to help get my mind focused and calm enough so that I can actually sit for a period of time without my mind chatter driving me nuts. Anything that helps to focus on the present moment is worth trying. cheers.

By: Oli Hille

Oli Hille — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 21:05:54 +0000

Your description of doorways reminds me of Tony Robbins’s teaching on “chunking”. Any task can be more easily achieved if the individual steps are addressed piece by piece.

Oli Hille
Author

By: shannon p

shannon p — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 21:14:06 +0000

Hi Summer, i’m a little late to this party, but how was the cruise? It probably wasn’t like what you were thinking right, its amazing that we humans seem to think so much about what has happened in the past even though we can not change the past, if only we can learn from the past and not be hung up on it life would go so much easier. The mind can play some good tricks on us.

By: Glenn R Smith

Glenn R Smith — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 02:20:02 +0000

I prefer to think of mindfulness as something to be worked towards every moment of the day ideally rather than a tool to be used when feeling panicky or anxious. Unrealistic I know but however I think the shift in attitude is the important point. Especially watching the unconscious agenda and ego mindfully without judgement allows much personal and spiritual growth.

By: Davina

Davina — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 17:21:50 +0000

I think as long as we are aware of the benefits of mindfulness we can endeavour to keep drawing attention to the present moment. At the same time if we accept that we are human and will inevitably forget and get ‘pulled off track’ then we release any pressure of having to be one way or the other.

By: Binaural Beats Online

Binaural Beats Online — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 01:32:39 +0000

I have been using mindful meditation for a number of years. Amazingly it is harder than one might think. However with practice I find that it can become almost habitual and instinctual. It is a fantastic way to relieve stress as well as to focus only on the present.

By: Ann Marie @ Anxiety Cures

Ann Marie @ Anxiety Cures — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 01:46:00 +0000

Great advise. I discovered mindful meditation a few years ago to help with anxiety and stress. I never imagined what a wonderful effect it would have on my life. I hope more people take up meditation to improve their lives. It takes a bit of practice, but once you get the hang of it, its great.

By: janet dietor

janet dietor — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:28:26 +0000

This might sound dumb, but I usually just try to imagine what Ghandi or Mother Theresa would do. I usually get a smile and it puts me in the right mood.

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 23:15:45 +0000

Yes, mindfulness helps a lot when it comes to panic attacks. It keeps the person from going into the trance that makes them believe that everything is lost.

By: Nick

Nick — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 19:23:08 +0000

Loved the article. It has gone on my favourites. Walking through a door will never be the same.

By: B. Isocort

B. Isocort — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 02:18:45 +0000

I read an incredible book that I think applies exactly to what you are talking about. The book is called “Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience” by an author I am not even going to begin to attempt to spell his name (look up the book on Amazon if you want it).

The book states that for people to feel happy and fulfilled in their lives, they need to seek out those moments when they are in flow – commonly referred to as “in the zone” in sports terminology.

This state of “flow” can be experienced in just about any activity if you setup and perceive the activity in a specific manner. He states that for something to be flow-producing, it must meet certain criteria such as immediate feedback on progress, clear goals, a clear outcome, and a few others.

This book was absolutely fascinating and I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to experience life in every moment – persistent mindfulness.

By: Christopher

Christopher — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 05:32:43 +0000

I’ve always seen mindfulness as a state in which you simple allow whatever thoughts and feelings arise within you to pass through without any resistance. If anxiety arises, you allow it to come and go while remaining in the present moment as much as possible. Trying to stop, ignore or block out anxiety often doesn’t work, but when you simply allow it, while letting your mind come to rest, it often fades away all by itself.