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

[Ggrand]

Hello Elizabeth, Quirky and all...

Im pleased my little post might be helpful to someone..

I lived in the city most of my life..and not being allowed to sit outside...it’s only been the last few years that I feel safe enough to sit on my veranda...I appreciate nature so much..the beauty it has to offer...if we just take our time and look at it....It’s our universe, we are apart of it..we should feel we belong to it...For me doing mindfulness outside in nature..is my way of connecting with all the universe has to show us...I have many lost years of missing out on nature, that I want to make up for...and I’m enjoying making up for those lost years...As much as I can..

I have my mindfulness class each day with the best teacher/mentor that their is...Mother Nature..

Grandy..

[quirkywords]

Grandy,

I think many of us take for granted mother nature whether we live in the city or the country.

There is wonder all around. I am amazed at hardy weeds that grow in concrete and moss that grows in hard to reach places.

I can watch ants for ages .

Mother nature the best teacher of mindfulness, I can see a book Grandy!!

Quirky

[Doolhof]

Hello to Paul, Grandy, Quirky and all reading,

Mindfulness is something I am sure I would benefit from if I remembered to take special time to use it. I am sure there are many times when I am in a mindful state without realising it as well.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to walk along a beach. I sat for a while listening tot he waves, trying to calm my thoughts and appreciating the beauty and calmness around me.

Grandy I like your idea of watching the clouds. I need to make more time to look after myself.!

Cheers all from Dools

[quirkywords]

Hello to Dools and all those reading and thinking of posting,

Dools, a question you have inspired for you and everyone,

Do you have to be aware you are doing mindfulness or is the fact you are focused in the moment enough?

I like the idea of taking time to look after ourselves and as that saying goes, take time to stop and smell the roses .

It seems that some people can achieve a zen state by following a guided meditation whereas others may need to incorporate it into our every day life.

Everyone seems so busy and tend to do many things at once, if we just went back to doing one task at a time, maybe this will help us be more focused. What do you think?

Quirky

[Ggrand]

Hello Quirky and everyone 🤗..

I like your question Quirky..

Im wondering if their are two types of mindfulness..One that when we are completely absorbed by what we’re doing at the time without even realising it...like sweeping, washing, gardening, reading, shopping etc...I think we then are using all of our unconscious mind to practice mindfulness... only then realising it after the job is done and we think...where did the time go...Doing these jobs kept us out of our mind and had us using most or all our senses...hearing, sight, feeling, smell, taste....without us knowing what we were doing..Umm maybe this is a form of automatic mindfulness...

The other I feel is on a conscious level, where we are in need of some peace and we start looking for some type of mindfulness to practise to bring us that peace...not forcing it upon us but by trying to stop our over active mind in the best way we know how....by looking for a way to be mindful, means we are aware we are in need of some... we then have to bring our sensing awake by finding things that bring us some peace and using our mind and senses to do it...by sitting in the sun, looking around us and noticing things, feeling the weather on our skin or an object close by...listening to music with head phones..etc..maybe this is a conscious form of mindfulness...

Just my thoughts..hope my thoughts make some sense.....

Grandy...xxx

[quirkywords]

Hello all,

Grandy , yes two types of mindfulness that makes so much sense.

I like the way you think things through in a practical way.

Quirky

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone! New members are always welcome to post too 🙂

Hey Dools.....Its always a bonus to read your posts on the forums and thankyou for your input on this thread too! You have mentioned an excellent point " I am sure there are many times when I am in a mindful state without realising it as well" This is important as the term 'mindfulness' can be taken for granted with some health professionals without realising that there are people that have difficulty understanding the concept. I also feel the same that having a time of peace without 'interfering thoughts' is actually mindfulness in itself

Hey Quirky......always a treat to have your wise input anywhere on the forums and thankyou! You mentioned "I like the idea of taking time to look after ourselves and as that saying goes, take time to stop and smell the roses" You are spot on as taking the time to smell the roses is mindfulness in its purity....Thankyou for your clarity 🙂

Hey Grandy.....thankyou for your life experience and know how! You make good sense with breaking 'mindfulness' into 2 categories and thats a great point with people like myself that have difficulty with the concept itself. I still try to use mindfulness as a holistic concept (yes...its difficult) with any situation yet sometimes I just take the time to 'lose myself' in my garden or my music to enable some peace of mind

Grandy mentioned "not forcing it upon us but by trying to stop our over active mind in the best way we know how" This is great input and will help many readers of the forums 🙂

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Croix]

Dea Paul, Grandy and All~

I think you are quite right Grandy about the two different types of mindfulness, or at least being absorbed. I'm never sure if I use the right terms, all I know is I want my mind comfortable and not in a unpleasant loop or taking over control.

If I'm calm and relaxed already then yes, I do the equivalent of smell the roses, appreciating the complexity, richness and pleasant aspects of waht is around me - it happens naturally, no effort involved.

If I am brushing Foxy Dog (who has very mixed views on the subject) then it takes all my concentration and I do not have extra brainpower for anything else, though to be honest if I'm not feeling great I won't attempt it.

The other sort, trying on purpose to govern the brain, is for me anyway a matter of degree. If I just need a little calm I might get that reading or a very short walk, talking to my partner (or doing my exercises 😞

If that seems to get nowhere, and that becomes obvious straight away, then I try Smiling Mind which has sufficient ongoing instructions for me to be able to follow without the mind straying.

Thank you for this thread Paul, while I'm not that good at mindfulness it get me thinking and does give me encouragement

Croix

[quirkywords]

Greetings everyone,

Croix what a interesting examination of different levels of mindfulness.

I think your foxy hound feels like my floor does when I mop it. I mend my energy and to all my focusing skills to clean it.

I have not really mastered apps unless someone puts it on for me.

I find it hard to just sit still and concentrate. So thr only type I can do is to be doing something to stop my brain over thinking.

Quirky

[blondguy]

Hello Croix and everyone. New members are encouraged to post too!

Thankyou for your valued contribution to the discussion. Your life experience/insight is always welcome...I have struggled with mindfulness since the 'label' was mentioned a few years ago as my CBT therapy didnt involve it

Croix mentioned......"If I'm calm and relaxed already then yes, I do the equivalent of smell the roses, appreciating the complexity, richness and pleasant aspects of what is around me - it happens naturally, no effort involved"

I recall a poster from Victoria Police that used to focus on a distant point of focus in a crowded sports arena thus reducing his anxious thoughts/using mindfulness. That is a very helpful point with a lower level of anxiety yet may not help if a person has difficulty entering a major arena in the first place

I find it difficult when some health professionals use the term 'mindfulness' as a key point in how to feel better when perhaps many people have no idea what they are trying to say

Smiling Mind app.....on android or apple......thankyou again for you help Croix!

Hey Quirky......I agree with you on Croix's helpful and balanced post above....I have heard of the Smiling Mind app before and havent tried it yet. I am going to give it a go.....If you want any help enabling it....please ask 🙂

Have a great week everyone!

Paul