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

[blondguy]

Hi Tim!

Thankyou for helping me out with that one....I was stuck yet now I understand

Just a note re 'mindfulness' I hope that some health professionals stop mentioning mindfulness as a coping mechanism when the recipient has no idea what the word actually means. To offer health advice presuming the sufferer understands can leave a person confused not to mention bewildered

You have assisted many people (including the OP!) have a better understanding of mindfulness Tim

Nice1

Paul

[geoff]

Hi Tim, if you are a Christian then Mindfulness and Mediation would certainly be valid for you, that's why you go to Church to pray and also do at home or other areas, I'm not religious, so I find this difficult to accept and I by no means do I want to upset anybody who is religious, but Mindfulness to some, is just paying attention to thoughts, feelings and behaviour which you may pray for.

Mediation can be like wanting an old friend that to turn to, when in need of direction, inspiration, and support, maybe or maybe not, everyone has their own opinion, but this is a site for mental illness and not an avenue for religion.

If you believe in a religion then I acknowledge that and have no qualms at all, I have many friends who believe in some sort of religion, just as they should know where I stand, if they start preaching to me, then I show them the door, they have their beliefs, just as I do.

There are plenty of religious sites online to worship, but please leave it off this site.

Geoff.

[smallwolf]

Hi Geoff.

I was not trying to put out a view that was pro-anything. We each have to find our own practice that works for us when it comes to something like mindfulness. In fact I do not think I have ever promoted any religious concept on the site here either. As for Christianity and mindfulness going hand in hand is false. In fact I was scared when I started that journey with my psychologist if anyone found out!

Now here is what works for me ... Coffee and mindfulness. In summary, the life of the bean, of watering, going from the producer to my home. The making of the coffee. The aroma. The feel. The sight when pouring in milk. The taste. The engaging of all my senses. And for those few minutes while I have my coffee I am not bothered by anyone, anywhere.

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone...New posters are always welcome too!

Hey Geoff....thankyou always for being a part of the discussion with your life experience. Just a polite note if thats okay....On the last page Tim asked ' I have own thoughts re religion and mindfulness. Let me know if you want to listen to my thoughts' I posted back to Tim that it would be fine.. Tim actually helped the thread from stalling after David & Goliaths confusing and deeply religious post which was way off topic

my kindest thoughts

Paul

[blondguy]

Hey Tim

Thankyou Tim for your balanced support here and across the forums

Just a note re 'mindfulness' I wish some health professionals would stop mentioning 'mindfulness' as a coping mechanism presuming the recipient magically understands what it means. I grow weary of this automated response

Tim mentioned an excellent example of mindfulness in his post to Geoff which I have copied and pasted below

'Coffee and mindfulness. In summary, the life of the bean, of watering, going from the producer to my home. The making of the coffee. The aroma. The feel. The sight when pouring in milk. The taste. The engaging of all my senses. And for those few minutes while I have my coffee I am not bothered by anyone, anywhere'

That is the exact same 'peace of mind' I experience when I am landscaping/gardening. There is no concept of time and am devoid of any other thoughts/interference during that period

my kind thoughts

Paul

[geoff]

Hello Paul, I quite agree with you, because it too frustrates me when someone says to me to Mindfulness is a coping mechanism, but how can someone with a mental illness be aware of their thoughts, emotions, and how they are feeling when their focus is on a specific topic and can't get their mind away from this and even if they can temporarily as soon as they are removed from this so called Mindfulness, they suddenly go back to how they were feeling and no better off.

The definition of it is to be fully present, aware of where you are and what you're doing, and not overly reactive
or overwhelmed by what’s going on around you, try explaining that to a person who is having a terrible day, it certainly makes no sense, but it may if you're not suffering from any type of depression.

The number of times I've been told to go and pray 'for solution, for salvation', this will then show me a path for redemption, how can it if the world is in turmoil because all your mind is thinking about is the past, what's happened and it's impossible to begin to think about, because all your mind is focused on overcoming something that's already happened and as soon as you leave doing this exercise, back you go to where you were.

Daydreaming can't possibly happen if your mind is not capable of believing the positives in life, so how many people have done Mindfulness and won tattslotto, it's only the luck of the draw and nothing else.

Geoff.

[missep123]

Hi everyone,

A random mindfulness technique I was thinking about was counting backwards from ten when I am stressed.

This is something I have actually taken from how people help those with a fear of flying! Whenever there is turbulence they are told to count backwards to 'disrupt their thoughts'. I haven't practiced this much myself but I definitely want to

[Guest_1643]

hi missep123, well done on finding a technique that works!

I've tried some groups for mindfulness, one was really triggering

I don't like to think about it ! It has to be more than just putting ppl in a room and telling them to focus on their hands or a place....

I found some of it deeply upsetting

I like techniques that effectively slow down worrying, by returning my focus to something in the present

[mmMekitty]

I'm sorry I have not read through all this Thread, so I'm sorry if what I say has already been said.

I am so easily distracted most of the time, except when I focus and get stuck in a train fof thought. Mindfulness for me, therefore, is simply to catch myself, & re-focus on the here and now. I do my best to notice what I am currently, that precise moment, see, touch, hear, touch, taste, smell, and even what I think and feel. It can be done even if you are in any way uncomfortable. I would prefer to be comfortable, but that is less ans less likely to be how I feel in any given moment. I can and do surprise myself sometimes, noting I am physically comfortable, just my tinitus never stops, my sight is always a mess. But sometimes, that does not even bother me, because the moments I am noticing are so short.

I was told once, to take a single sultana, hold it between my thumb and forefinger, roll it a bit, squeeze it a bit, smell it, touch it with your tongue, then, put it on your tongue and rest. Then slowly, move it around your mouth. How different does it feel from when you held it? Feel the wrinkles? Can you taste anything yet? And then, slowly bite into it. Slowly chew. noting every sensation. And then, swallow.

Now there is a mindfulness challenge for you! You can substitute any small bit of food, I guess.

I think mindfulness exercises are useful because instead of cluttering up every moment, they help to declutter. When you restrict what you focus on, examining it or stopping and being with whatever can capture your attention, letting it hold you for a while - in a moment, is for me something to help me relax, be easy a bit.

For me, being mindful is like trying to write Haiku, focusing on a small detail, like a raindrop sliding down a window.

But could it also be a little controlled dissociation? mmmm There's something I need to think about.

Lullabies are good playing through my racing head when I want to sleep instead, Focus on the music you can make in your own head. Alright, now I'm really off to bed.

mmMekittymmzzzz

[geoff]

Hello Missep, counting backwards can be an exercise, because it relies on your awareness of breathing, people do it sitting in an aeroplane ready to take off, to reduce their anxiety, stress and worry, that's why a doctor r anybody else who's trained will ask you to sit down if you feel faint and take deep breathes.

It's being aware of your thoughts, emotions, and how you're feeling both physically and mentally and believe it's also told for pregnant women, as I recall that's what the nurses said to my wife.

Best wishes.

Geoff.