Mindfulness: What Is It? (Even if you dont know please post so we can help grow the forums accordingly)

[blondguy]

Hi Everybody

This is only the basic dictionary definition...

"Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you're mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment without judgement"

• Please be as blunt you wish....If you dont have an idea about mindfulness it would be great if you could let us know
• If mindfulness hasnt worked/or is too broad a concept for you it would great if you can let us know your thoughts too
• If mindfulness has helped you, please help others to help themselves by posting how you have embraced this mindset

It goes without saying that the forums are a judgement free zone and I really hope that everyone can jump in and have their say

Your input is highly valued no matter how you respond to this topic. There are no experts here...New Posters are Most Welcome!!

My Kindest Thoughts

Paul

[Croix]

Dear Mark and Paul~

Thanks Mark, I think I sort of get it now.

I'll always be grateful your example put me on to the Smiling Mind app, it has been a great help

Croix

[MarkJT]

Quirky, i was once given a pillow at a junior cricket presentation day as i was always wondering off and apparenly "falling asleep"! I get what you mean and it is interesting in theat when you are daydreaming you are forgetting about what is going on so i guess that is not that different to mindfulness.

This has really got me thinking in that the "natural mindfulness" that i talk about, is that not just daydreaming?

Interesting, very interesting.

Yes Croix, i have found the Smiling Mind app really helpful. I have dropped off it a bit of late so have to get back onto it.

And by no means am I an expert in it, just know how to do it most of the time.

Mark

[quirkywords]

Mark and everyone reading this

I think Natural Mindfulness sounds more sophisticated and new age than daydreaming.

I am sure someone will point out a difference.

I like the idea of a pillow as a an award.

My teachers would shout at me or clap their hands loudly near my face, they never were considerate enough o give me a pillow!!!

I suppose there is a time and a place for everything maybe school is not the place for daydreaming.

What did we do before apps.? What about people like me who can just handle texting and phoning but is not ready for apps?

Quirky

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone 🙂

Quirky, good point about daydreaming...Just my opinion but say in class you would have bored or lethargic to begin with. The other day when I lit my fire I was stressed to begin with and 'drifted' off mentally (without knowing) standing in front of it....

As MarkJT mentioned "That time where there are no worries, no concerns, no anxiety, no
depression, no anger...just calmness because your mind has been totally consumed with what has transfixed you"

Thanks Quirky

[QldMouse]

Yes, daydreaming.

I'm reminded of what a professor from Monash said in his mindfulness class. Working from memory and paraphrasing so excuse me. Something like ...

The mind needs to be treated like a little puppy that is easily distracted, you have to train it with gentleness and love. You can't be harsh with it of all it will know is fear, when its distracted you need to gently bring its attention back to the present. Each time its distracted, gently bring it back and over time it will live in the moment.

... I'm sure I've missed or messed that up, but essentially that was the message.

Another quote I hear off a TED talk regarding being mindful and how we talk to ourselves with our inner voice ...

"would you hang out with someone who talks to people the way you talk to yourself?" ... hmmm. ouch.

Enjoy, hope it helps.

[quirkywords]

Thanks Qld mouse, you have given me more to think about.

I remember someone telling me would I speak to a friend the way my inner critic talks to me and would I let someone talk to a friend they I talk to myself.

Paul

Thanks for your comments.

I was never allowed to say I was a bored growing up, I think I have always found it hard to concentrate (hence my struggle with mindfulness) so at school I would actually ne thinking of what the teacher was saying but the runaway in my thoughts with it.

Quirky

[Doolhof]

Hi Qld Mouse and All,

I like the words you shared from your professor. Fear certainly can cripple our minds. A gentle nudge in the right direction is so much more beneficial.

We do need to be kind to ourselves, using mindfulness can help with that.

I was mindful of my need for help with my wandering mind yesterday, so I wrote down how I was feeling and that certainly helped. I had a one on one counseling session with myself on the computer. The "counselor"was using italics, I was using normal print.

I think I have finally lost my mind! Ha. Ha.

[TBella]

I'm with you Guest, I find I feel more agitated when I practice mindfulness. I'm new at it so I am hanging in there with it for a bit longer, making a few adaptations to see if it suits me better.

Its too much for my brain to deal with at the moment.

Tbella

[Doolhof]

Hi TBella,

If mindfulness is too much for your brain right now, just take little steps or maybe you could try a little day dreaming?

If your mind is telling you negative stuff, find ways to change that into a positive with day dreams. Think of options that will make the situation more pleasing and acceptable. Of course that will depend on what the issue is.

One theory/suggestion I was told about was to try and defuse the thoughts, to make their impact less painful.

Mindfulness does take a bit of practice, while others seem to be able to do it automatically.

Maybe there is a connection between mindfulness and day dreaming!

Cheers all from Mrs. D.

[quirkywords]

TBella,

I used to get frustrated trying mindfulness, then I read this great thread, just did not try so hard and yes I am still trying but a bit less frustrated. I realise it is not a test. if you read Paula and Tony and Marks and many others past posts they may help. I know that sounds like an endorsement, but it is true!

Quirky