This guest article from YourTango was written by Dr. Vickie Change.
Mindfulness is at the core of Buddhist meditation, while also being found in a number of European philosophical and spiritual traditions. Some believe that this is because mindfulness is an inherent human capacity. The current Western, psychological notion of mindfulness is defined by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn as intentionally bringing moment-to moment awareness to the present experience with an attitude of openness and acceptance. Simply put, it is living in the here and now.
Mindfulness is also called heartfulness; reflecting a compassionate awareness towards ourselves and others. Practicing mindfulness is a way of tuning into our full experience; using all of own senses. For instance, to practice mindful walking, start by noticing how your body feels standing upright. Notice whether you are balanced equally on both feet, or have any aches or tingles in your legs, back or shoulders. Feel your feet in your shoes or your hands at your sides. Shift your weight from one foot to another as you start to take a step. You might say to yourself, ”lifting, moving, and placing” as you move your foot forward and take one step. Slow down so that you can feel each individual movement.
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“Many of us have a strong urge to understand sadness, anger, despair, irritability, and other difficult emotions when they come.” Yeah! its called thinking, critical thinking!. People need to think more, about the right things, not less. Mindfullness is good for altering moods in the short term but for long term problems its not effective, if over used, it becomes a defense of deniel, self brainwashing.
Hi Stephanie, Mindfulness is about really feeling your emotions, experiencing your body rsepsonse’s and really knowing your thoughts. Opening yourself up to the entirety of your experience as it happens. (Over thinking often cuts us of from this.) And then once aware, responding. This is quite the opposite of denial or suppressing. Where the confusion often comes in is finding the balance between not over identifying with your feelings,thoughts and body sensations and not resisting anything. Encouraging more of a non judgemental awareness of your experience.