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

[Gambit87]

Gambit mentioned "Mindfulness is living in the present moment. A real time, play by play of thoughts, feelings, what your senses are picking up and what you can see around you"

Gambit.....It would be a bonus if you could help us with how you actually meditate...I wrote this thread topic a long time ago and if you wish to share your meditation techniques it would be really excellent 🙂

Hi Paul and everyone!

I use the smiling mind app (free) to meditate. Its kinda weird to meditate when you first start and I never did it every day. Since my break down I've been doing it every day.

Obviously meditation can be done at anytime but for me, during week(work) days I take a break in the mornings and go for a walk to a near by park. I sit on a bench and load up a body scan/breathing meditation (they go for 5-10 minutes) and meditate. I felt a little self conscious at first but you learn to block everything out while meditating. After work on the days I don't have anything to be at I do the same thing or I sit outside when im at home.

On the weekends, I sit outside and do the same meditations. For some reason I don't feel as comfortable meditating indoors as I do outdoors. Probably because I enjoy the outdoors alot more then being inside.

A good thing about the smiling mind app is they also have short little meditations for when you're walking or taking public transport and a quick SOS meditation for when you're feeling anxious.

I understand meditating may not be for everyone but I highly recommend giving it a try and stick with it for a little while. 10-20 minutes a day is all you need and after a while you may notice a change in your mood/relaxation and how you look at things.

[quirkywords]

Gambit

outside mediation isn’t.for me as I find it distracting and I get bitten by insects

I like your descriptions

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone

Hey Gambit87 and thank you posting back with your helpful advice

Gambit87 mentioned 'I understand meditating may not be for everyone but I highly recommend giving it a try and stick with it for a little while. 10-20 minutes a day is all you need and after a while you may notice a change in your mood/relaxation and how you look at things' This is very helpful Gambit

I must give the smiling mind app a try....One of our members..Croix also speaks highly of it too!

I wrote this thread a while ago as I was becoming tired of some health professionals assuming everyone understands about mindfulness when they dont...My counsellors always spoke about proactive distraction in the 1980's when I was in my 20's when my anxiety attacks where severe

I spend a lot of my time outside doing landscaping/gardening and find peace by doing so.....Can I ask if you think that is 'mindfulness'? I did read your post about mindfulness (Feb 4) yet I still struggle with the concept..

Hey Quirky....I can find some peace outside or inside yet I prefer gentle sunlight and no electronics around me You always speak from the heart....Thankyou for the support and TLC you provide to so many people x

my kind thoughts...and appreciation Gambit and Quirky 🙂

Paul

[quirkywords]

As I write it is windy pouring rain and blowing a gale outside. I don't think that is weather for meditation.

Paul, Thanks for your kind words.

Do others find extreme hot , cold or windy weather makes one feel more agitated and less relaxed?

[Elizabeth CP]

Extreme weather can definitely increase anxiety levels. Previous experience means we are triggered by different weather events. A friend spent years in the tropics and therefore experienced cyclones. Even now living in Victoria with no cyclones strong winds induce fear as they trigger memories of bad cyclones. For me hot, dry. windy days trigger fears of bushfires. I live in a fairly safe area now but telling myself I'm safe doesn't counteract the fear once it is triggered.

Conversely finding a nice quiet spot in the shade surrounded by greenery with trickling water from a stream nearby when the temperature is pleasant is relaxing. In my previous house I loved to sit in front of the window in winter with the sun on my back. The feeling of the sun's warmth in winter is lovely.

[Gambit87]

Hi Paul and everyone!

blondguy said:

I spend a lot of my time outside doing landscaping/gardening and find peace by doing so.....Can I ask if you think that is 'mindfulness'? I did read your post about mindfulness (Feb 4) yet I still struggle with the concept..

I'm happy you find peace by doing landscaping/gardening.

If you don't mind me asking, what do you think about/how do you feel when you are landscaping/gardening? Do you think about things like the height of your plants/trees? the smells you can smell? the colours of different plants, things you are doing right in the moment etc if you are then (based on my opinion on what mindfulness is) you are using mindfulness.

For example when I go for a long walk along the river I live near - I'm noticing my feet hitting the ground when I walk, I notice the ducks on the pond, the sounds of the birds, the transition of smells - from slightly salty/eucalypt to smelly stagnant swampy water back to the beautiful salty/eucalypt, I notice the lights of the stadium, the people walking past, the excitement I get when I see all the dogs haha. I think things like 'wow that's a beautiful view or what a cool looking bird etc) I notice how the sights/sounds/smells/the walk makes me feel. - I'm using mindfulness.

I hope that helps 🙂

[blondguy]

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

Hey Quirky....Its great to hear the rain for sure...The rain and wind (just for me) are so relaxing I feel like I am near the ocean and it has a calming mother nature effect and I can fall into a deep sleep when I go to bed....I find anything above 35C difficult to relax with...Great question 🙂

Hey Elizabeth....Thankyou for the helpful post! You mentioned "finding a nice quiet spot in the shade surrounded by greenery with trickling water from a stream nearby when the temperature is pleasant is relaxing" I also find gentle sunshine a bonus to finding some peace

Hey Gambit....Your input is appreciated and valued...thankyou! You asked "what do you think about/how do you feel when you are landscaping/gardening? " Thats an excellent question...considering the thread topic...

Whilst landscaping I am usually devoid of negative thoughts and find a strong sense of well being...I usually think about pleasant things as they come....It is a peaceful place to be....followed by a feeling of achievement 🙂

Your fresh opinion/experience of what 'mindfulness' represents is important Gambit as you have provided clarity to so many....and that includes myself too

just a note....Approx 70% of the 'hits' to the forums are people that choose to 'read only' which is great...so you have helped more people than you know 🙂

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Guest_4643]

Hi all.

I haven't been doing much mindfulness, I guess I should try to give that a go. I haven't really thought about doing it.

Any suggestions?

Tayla

[Guest_1643]

Hi Talya! two things I do - is either look for 5 things you can see in a room, or (my favourite) to try and count five sounds you can hear in a room, just to calm down the senses. I think you can also just focus in when you are having a shower, or even doing the dishes, on the sensory stuff, like the bubbles and the rushing water. To be honest I'm a bit scared of the word "mindfullness" - it seems like something very new age, like it's a trend that will come in and come out. It seems hear like it's very personal, and people try to be mindful doing things they enjoy....not sure though...

[PhoebeWings]

“As I began to love myself I quit stealing my own time, and I stopped designing huge projects for the future. Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm. Today I call it “SIMPLICITY”.”

This quote is from Charlie Chaplin.

It made me think about little simple things that we can keep in front of us.

I love walking. Just love walking, especially in leafy areas or by the coast. I like city walking too.

I keep observant, I watch each passing scene as a work of Art.

It could be beautiful trees, I walk being keenly aware of the leaves and bark, their colour and texture, the sunlight dappling or raindrops splashing.

Or walking through the City I pay attention to the shop windows, the pavements - the faces of the people around. The sounds. The smells.

I recently found real pleasure in ironing! I’ve always hated ironing.

Anyway, I slowed right down, picking up each piece, smoothing, setting the steam...ironing with care and purpose. Then fold... enjoying the scent of freshly laundered cotton, towelling. It’s my new pleasure.

Who'd have thought it? Not me 😉

I love reading. But sometimes I can’t get into a book...but I do enjoy poetry, at anytime. Little bit sized pieces of mind caressing words.

I find if I slow right down, right down - every little simple good thing becomes very real, very present... it’s my ‘NOW’.

I was quite stressed about a couple small things this morning...I caught my cat’s eye, walked over and bent down to nuzzle and stroke.

I felt her breath, her rich purr... her delicious scent on her fur...that was very REAL. I stayed with her for 10 minutes or so.

My anxiety quietened and I was able to get on with sorting out the source of my worry.

I’m going to start creating Art in my own way soon... but that needs a good few hours of time.

Meanwhile, little momentary focuses on things of simple joy and pleasure are like food and water to me 🙂

That’s how I use mindfulness.

Enjoying reading everyone’s thoughts and experiences with keeping in the ‘now’.

❤️