Summary

The article outlines five key aspects of mindfulness practice, detailing its benefits, methods, and the potential for personal transformation.

Abstract

The author shares personal insights into the practice of mindfulness, emphasizing its profound impact on their life. Initially overwhelmed by constant thoughts and anxiety, the author found that mindfulness led to a dramatic shift in their experience of the world. The practice is described as beneficial on physical, mental, and intellectual levels, promoting a slower pace, reduced thought traffic, and improved emotional well-being. Mindfulness is defined as present-moment awareness without judgment, with methods ranging from focusing on the now to observing and labeling thoughts, as taught by various experts like Eckhart Tolle and Mahasi Sayadaw. The article suggests starting with the teachings of one mindfulness master and implementing their techniques consistently. It concludes by envisioning a future where mindfulness could lead to happier individuals and communities, advocating for personal responsibility in cultivating a mindful lifestyle amidst modern distractions.

Opinions

The author believes that mindfulness can lead to intuitive positive changes in one's life.
Mindfulness is presented as a way to become aware of and detach from the continuous stream of thoughts, leading to a more peaceful state of being.
The article suggests that mindfulness can help individuals recognize when their concepts, ideas, and beliefs no longer serve them

5 Aspects of Mindfulness That I Have Found to Be Most Helpful

What do I do? And where do I start?

1. Why Do You Practice Mindfulness

My experience of the world before I practiced mindfulness was marked by my mind going fast, a lot. At times I was feeling bombarded but thoughts. I would experience anxiety and fear.

Then I met a mindfulness teacher. With that my experience of myself and the world changed. Dramatically.

Practicing mindfulness will help you on various levels, including physically, mentally, and intellectually.

Initially, you will notice bodily physical sensations, like a gripping in your stomach or tensing of muscles in your around your lips and eyes.

Next, you will become aware of how often you feel anxious and fearful.

Finally, you will notice how some of the concepts, ideas, and beliefs you hold don’t serve your best interests any longer.

Next is the fun part. After these initial ‘aha’ moments that you have discovered through mindfulness, intuitive change occurs. And changes for the better. You will:

· You will start walking slower as you will not feel rushed.

· There will be fewer thoughts.

· Less negative emotions and more feelings of being rested and content.

· Confusion and indecision will be replaced with being clear and concise when making decisions.

Your family and friends will notice the difference in you.

2. What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is when you are aware of the present moment. You are aware of the thoughts as they arise, exist, and subside. There is no judgment of the thoughts as being good or bad, right or wrong. With Mindfulness, there is a continual recognition of ‘what is’ in each moment along with no desire to change anything.

“Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally.”

— Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn

3. How to do Mindfulness

Like there are many ways to the top of the mountain, similarly, there are many mindful methods.

These practices are explained by modern-day practitioners and masters from the past. Most popular today are Eckart Tolle and Dr Jon Kabat-Zinn. And those meditation masters from the past such as Mahasi Sayadaw and Ajahn Chah.

Here’s how it works:

· Focus attention on the now (Eckart Tolle) — become intensely conscious of the present moment. Create a gap in the thought stream by directing the focus of your attention into the now.

· Observing thoughts (Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn) — attend to the stream of your thoughts through observation of the thoughts. Allow your thoughts to arise and pass.

· Noting/Labelling (Mahasi Sayadaw) — label all your mental and physical movements in each moment (whether sitting, lying, standing, or walking) for example when breathing, you mentally say when the belly is expanding “rising rising” and when the exhaling and the belly deflate “falling, falling”.

· Beware of the breath (Ajanh Chah) — observe your inhalation and exhalation. Don’t change the breath, allow it to flow naturally. Maintain the resolve to stay aware of your breath and have no other agenda.

“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.”

— Eckhart Tolle

4. Where to Start with Mindfulness

Spend some time reading on the 4 teachers mentioned above. There will be 1 teacher, in particular, that will resonant with more than the others.

Do a deep dive into that particular teacher. This could include reading one of their books or listening to some of their podcasts.

Once you have an understanding of their method, implement the method. It’s through practice that the magic happens. Don’t fall into the trap of gathering knowledge and not putting your newfound mindfulness technique into practice.

5. What does the future hold for mindfulness

What if you started being mindful now? How would your life be? Happier families, empty hospitals, a world in which people express and fulfill their purpose.

Your lifestyle is such that it doesn’t support you to be mindful: mobile phones, exposure to disruptive marketing. As such you need to decide to take ownership and responsibility of your physical, mental and intellectual condition if you wish to be content and happy.

Mindfulness is the way to ultimate freedom. Start now.

Read every story from Damian Clark (and thousands of other writers on Medium).