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

[MarkJT]

Quirky, the word "adaptable" is the key one.

Stars, clouds, music, buildings, engineering (looking at something and marvel at the engineering behind it), movies, TV shoes, stretching, running, swimming, track walking, healthy eating...so many different avenues to use to ground yourself via mindfulness.

It's good to practice any different way that you can use and you will find the one that suits you the best and then have some back ups in case you need them.

Mark

[blondguy]

Hello everybody and especially any 'New Posters' who are more than welcome to post too

MarkJT keeps belting the ball out of the park (Baseball terminology for a 'Home Run') You are spot on Quirky about his common sense. He has an innate gift of clarity even with a 'cluttered mind'. I have the same mindset at the moment and posting its hard (for me) to find the clarity I usually have Quirky.

I really love what Mark mentioned above "chop and change (coping techniques) until you reach something that is working, even just a little bit"

If anyone reading the forums or this thread you are a new poster It would be great to have your thoughts on Mindfulness or any coping technique that works or doesnt. Your input is valued 🙂

My kind thoughts

Paul

[Moonstruck]

Haven't talked for ages BlondGuy....re mindfulness...I am so far away from even beginning to master mindfulness it's funny...no point in even starting. I would have to totally retrain my self, my emotions, my over thinking, my imagination, my paranoia.....I'd be hopeless.....I so envy those that have mastered it...but where the hell do i start?

[CMF]

I can't do it today. Having a not very good day 😞

[blondguy]

Hey Moon and CMF

I understand where you are coming from as having a 'tired brain' can make us exhausted thus being unable to practice it effectively

Sometimes we have to give ourselves a 'vacation' from our issues at hand. If that means I have to walk, talk and think slower then thats the best I can do at the time.

Even if we treat ourselves and watch a really good movie that can also be a form of changing our 'mindset' too

I havent mastered mindfulness and have yet to do so. When I am in a situation that warrants it I will try again.

I am just happy to settle with being 'gentle' to myself instead 🙂

My kindest

Paul xo

[MarkJT]

Moonstruck: I do not think that anyone is a master of mindfulness. I reckon you can start by putting some headphones on, get a cple of favorite songs going, lay down flat and concentrate as hard as you can on the music. See if you can pick out the drums, the guitars, the vocals and when your mind wanders, acknowledge that it has done so and then gently bring your concentration back to the music.

CMF: Good to recognise that you know what, some days we just cannot do it. Don't be dismayed at this - load up again tomorrow and try again. Nothing wrong with not being able to do it - the key is not to get pissed off. Take it easy on yourself.

Paul: Wise words. Absolutely spot on with settling to be easy on yourself. Remember that mental health recovery is a marathon, not a sprint.

Mark

[blondguy]

Hi MarkJT

Thankyou for your wisdom and clarity

MarkJT summed it up with "Remember that mental health recovery is a marathon, not a sprint"

Another keeper..

My Best as always

Paul

[Ggrand]

Hello everyone

This topic "Mindfulness" has had me intrigued now for a while, I think it could be a good coping strategy if it can be learned and put into action when and where needed.

i have just completed once again reading through this thread. (Maybe 4 times now) it takes a bit to find a spot in my mind that's empty enough so it can stay there for a while,

I can now understand the concept of mindfulness and have been practising it each day this week, some days were successful other days not so successful.

While I was practising it I felt myself kind of relaxing and peaceful, once the session was over and I returned to daily chores, my mind went straight back to being loud and annoying almost immediately.

It has taken a few weeks to get this far, that is, sitting or laying in a quiet place listening to mindfulness tape.

Learning to do mindfulness whilst in a noisy or busy environment, while doing what we need to be doing (shopping etc, looks like it's a completely different ball game, which needs different learning techniques as I am now in a large noisy shopping complex ( about to have a anxiety attack, not in a quiet environment and cannot sit or lay down or listen to my tape I now need to be able to cut out my noisy loud thoughts and replace them with some kind of ???? Not sure , now I'm stuck..

Karen

[blondguy]

Hi Karen......and everyone

It looks like you and I are on the same page as I started this thread topic trying to find out what it actually is and thankyou for speaking from the heart

You mentioned "Learning to do mindfulness whilst in a noisy or busy environment, while doing what we need to be doing (shopping etc, looks like it's a completely different ball game" I understand where you are coming from as I used to have had chronic anxiety followed by intermittent anxiety which is still a pain

Mindfulness is a great tool with anxiety but I still struggle in a shopping centre/busy crowds as well.

Our forums are being improved to a more user friendly format for you and everyone (just so you know)

If I may ask you Karen...how did you go after being stuck in the bad place you were in?

Mindfulness takes a lot of time/determination to master....If I was in your situation I would have found it just as awful as you have even with the support I have here on the forums

Its great to speak with you again Karen, and thankyou for the super kind post about you reading this thread 4 times over too....:-)

I hope you can stick around and post as many times as you wish

What a wonderful avatar by the way.....absolutely gorgeous!

My kind thoughts for you Karen

Paul

[Ggrand]

Hi Blondguy and everyone else,

With the help and support of some very kind and understanding people here on the forums, I got done what I needed to do (well halfway done). I'm taking a few weeks or more to just get myself better prepared to complete it

I managed to start working my way out of my dark spot and felt better. Today is the funeral of my only friend, I have to go or I will be forever angry with myself. I know there will be plenty of triggers there but I have no choice. Luckily I have a physiatrist appointment this afternoon and she may help with the effects today will bring me.

I asked about mindfulness for situations like this funeral and also I only go out on Tuesday (Tuesdays being my safe day). First volunteer at vinnies then shopping at the supermarket, okay after Vinnies I'm so full of anxiety then I need to go shops for the basics food n drink. The noise of the people, shopping trolleys, kids yelling laughing screaming, trolley wheels the chatter of people etc. these all join together in my head and spin round and round and build up until I just want to be not there (run away I suppose).

These are the situation I need to learn to control with a sort of a portable mindfulness technique. At home it's quiet ( I'm on my own) and a completely different environment.

Any thoughts as to how to do mindfulness in a busy and noisy environment would be much appreciated as at home it's easier to cope as I don't have the tv or radio on much at all really, as the noise gets to much for me, I usually have a super quiet home..

My avatar is for all that are here on the forums that have helped me and need help letting them know that they are loved and are important.

Thank you Blondguy , this thread has been like a mindfulness excercise for me. I was completely lost in it when reading through it. It took reading it 4 times but well worth it as now I can understand it more and practice practice and more practice..

thank you for your kindness

karen