I’m going on my very first cruise in April, and I’m a little worried about the incidental expenses. I’ve heard horror stories from other recent college grads (read: other folks like me who count their pocket change) who’ve gotten huge bills on their final …
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“Put simply, mindfulness is the state of being aware of your surroundings and living in the moment instead of thinking about what just happened or what’s about to happen.”
I’ve seen mindfulness described in different ways. One of them seems to be ignoring, or trying to ignore, uncomfortable feelings. The other includes being aware of those feelings. Which is it for you?
Thanks for this post, Summer! Too many people in our culture zoom through their lives on autopilot without stopping to savor the present.
Renée (your fellow WOP blogger)
very nice post. Mindfulness is currently revolutionizing my struggle with OCD in a profound way.
David’s comment includes a good question… my understanding has always been to accept rather than ignore all feelings, uncomfortable or not, without judgement.
David, that’s a very interesting question.
For the most part, I define mindfulness as a state of being that allows me to notice — not focus on, but notice — even the most uncomfortable feelings within (and outside of) my body. Tormentality brought up a great point here when they mentioned the word “judgment”: I believe that true mindfulness occurs when you’re paying attention to the present (internal or external) without judgment. As if you’re viewing the world through a child’s eyes.
That being said, I believe that a state of non-judgmental mindfulness can simultaneously (and paradoxically) allow us to both ignore something and to be attentive to it. For example: when I get nervous, I tend to tighten all of the muscles in my stomach and chest. If I mindfully bring my attention to this sensation, I am obviously noticing it. However, at the same time, if I can avoid judging it as good or bad, I can mentally mark it off as a sensation that does not require further attention and further anxiety.
I hope that made sense. Given that mindfulness stems from Eastern tradition, it seems appropriate that it can be interpreted in two (seemingly) opposite ways that, when you take a step back & look at it again, aren’t necessarily even opposites at all. What’s your take on it, David?
“…if I can avoid judging it as good or bad, I can mentally mark it off as a sensation that does not require further attention and further anxiety.”
Often for me it is a sensation that *does* require further attention, even further anxiety, though that last is not desirable.
Mindfulness concepts are a great tool to help reduce cravings for those in addiction treatment or addiction recovery.
Bill
A very interesting post. Thank-you for your suggestions.
Mindfulness is a great meditation practice. Did you know that it is rooted in a tradition that is over 2500 years old? Its very true that Mindfulness can do great things for reducing stress and anxiety. The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt offers a Mindfulness program for families and caretakers of individuals with eating disorders. If you would like to learn more about our program visit our blog: http://eatingdisorder.org/blog/2009/01/26/mindfulness-based-stress-reduction-a-new-program-for-families-and-caretakers-of-individuals-with-eating-disorders/
I am new to the concept of mindfulness and I know I am going to pursue it for many reasons, including anxiety and D.I.D. I just realized that the spiritual tradition I follow actually does have elements of mindfulness. Jesus Christ is reported to have said, “Consider the lilies, how they grow, they neither toil nor spin and yet Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of them.” Many of His teachings do teach me to lay down anxiety and worry and just be in the present and trust God to care for me and get me through it all. Another time Jesus told people that they should look at the sparrows, they were sold, two for one penny and yet God was aware when each one died.
This topic of mindfulness is pulling me back to the first thing in my life that gave me any hope and peace. Thanks for sharing.
The research that mindfulness practice changes the actual structure of your brain was what finally got me practicing on a regular basis. The research findings and the “how to” of mindfulness meditation are now also a growing part of what I offer to my patients. I’ve also started offering a free mindfulness meditation download at http://www.ReWireYourBrainForLove.com, for those who want to give it a try without having to start by being mindful at every doorway.
Wonderful post! I believe that meditation relaxes the body and calms the soul. Thank you for the great insight that you have shared!
hallo all,
i’m from the netherlands. i’m trying to find some advice on a mindfulness meditation practice course.
can anyone gif some advice on a online or whatever course on this specific topic (mindfulness meditation practice ) what is the best way to start practicing?
thanks in Advance,
Edmundo.
This is an excellent account of your bouts with panic and anxiety and the meditation techniques you used to combat them. I’ve read a few more good anxiety meditation techniques here also http://www.themeditationmind.com/meditation-relaxation-techniques-for-stress-and-anxiety.html I hope they help you further
Very good description of everyday experience leading to regular every day experience of mindfulness. thanks.
Mindfulness Meditation has helped me greatly in the control of anxiety and the prevention of panic attacks brought on by stress.
I try and practice simple meditation techniques regularly to help keep my stress levels down and cognitive therapy has been the only way I have found to get control of my life again without anxiety.
Although i meditate regularly i’ve never tried a mindfulness meditation, but after reading this i will deffinately try it.
In my opinion, true inner peace and happiness can only come from inner work – meditation is definitely a big part of this. Thanks for a great article, I will definitely pass the link along. Your comment about the importance of being present really struck home.
Namaste,
Paul
I have also found “Mindlfulness Meditiation” to be a great help when it comes to controlling anxiety. Modern technology is making this practice even harder for children. So many kids these days seem to live entirely in their heads. They are always texting, talking on the cell phone or surfing the web.
Interesting account of your walk through life combatting anxiety and stress.
There are so many ways to do this, but like you said focusing on the present, accepting your anxiety and concentrating all help.
I took medicating against anxiety and they took the sypmtoms away, but not the cause. Now I work als around mindfulness, I meditate and I learned some handy breathing methods. It started to be a way of living and I am glad I got to know it.
Thank you very much for this post and good luck with all your further challenges.
Thanks Summer for sharing your experiences of living with anxiety and worry. I totally agree that we all spend too much time in the past or future and totally neglect the present moment.
I think mindfulness is a fantastic tool and I use mindfulness meditation on a regular basis, it feels great to be happy and peaceful in the moment.
After spending many years in early adulthood suffering with social phobia, I am very interested in discovering ways to manage such crippling mental obstacles.
Thanks again,
Steve
Dr. Daniel Siegel theorizes that mindfulness is a bottom-up process which overrides the top-down global neuronal movements of the conditioned mind, thereby freeing up greater neurological resources for daily living.
I’ve tried a number of different types of meditation over the years but this sounds interesting. I’ve been using a binaural beats audio to help me quiet my mind and it’s very relaxing but I’m not sure I’m actually meditating. I’m going to try this technique and see if I can get any results.
Thanks Summer.
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.
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.
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.
Loved the article. It has gone on my favourites. Walking through a door will never be the same.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.