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

blondguy
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

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

1,355 Replies 1,355

mmMekitty and everyone

There are two words that will guarantee me to tense up and worry, when people say just relax,!

I feel fine and calm until I am told to relax. I find it intrusive and annoying.

People assume I am not relaxed when I am.

Missep I relate to what you wrote in your post.

Mk2692
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hi LorenaC,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on mindfulness. You have provided some amazing tips for people to use and be present in the moment. For me mindfulness is being present in the moment, being here right now. Listening to the sounds of your breathing and connecting within yourself and your body. Letting go of all the noise and the external world. It is being present and not being caught up in your past or the future. I practice mindfulness through deep breathing, yoga and meditation.

Hi everyone!

Reading your posts I really felt that I was not alone in how I was feeling! I really like the idea of changing the association to something more positive i.e. doing the meditation when I am already relaxed and happy. I really feel as though with mindfulness time is also very healing.

It is great to be on this journey with everyone!

smallwolf
Community Champion
Community Champion

Another thought on mindfulness...

Mind full and mindful are different concepts.

One is where the mind is full of unnecessary thoughts and ideas. And in the other you notice what is in front and around you.

For example, in a park and I notice the look and feel of the grass and the trees. With the other I think of the things I haven't done, need to do, and critical of self etc

mmMekitty
Valued Contributor
Valued Contributor

Sometimes, what I want to do is to acknowledge the clamouring thoughts, memories, feelings which come from within, & to also acknowledge those intrusive sounds,sights, smells, physical sensations, from ny body & beyond, & let them all slide by, depriortised, so I can therefore, either focus on a task, like writing this post, or simply sit or recline in a restful, calm & peaceful place like being the eye of a storm. Relaxation naturally ocurring when (if) I can manage this ideal state.

It doesn't have to be perfectly attained to be beneficial either. Just enough & the neighbour's music, a quick African drumming, lasts for half an hour at least, does not bother me nearly so much & I can write this without being so distracted, or as tense as usual. That's acceptable. Yes, I'd like more, but hat is enough to help.

I've just thought, I want one form of mindfulness for when I am wanting to not be distracted, & to find I can render intrusive thoughts, feelings & such irrelevant.

& the other is when I want to quiet everything, not be distracted from whatever level of relaxation I have achieved, & to maintain that state. I'm not actively doing something like writing this post, or cooking, at these times. This one is for when I want to mostly calm my inner self, preparing for sleep, perhaps, or when I have to be still at the dentist, for e/g.

Calmness & peace to all,

mmMekitty

Oh my, I realised that I usually have mind full rather than being mindful.

I am exactly what you described as mind full - thoughts about what to do, what I need to do, thoughts about self etc.

I like what you wrote mmMekitty, I want to find calm and peace! I think I am getting there more often than not but man oh man it can be difficult to do!

smallwolf
Community Champion
Community Champion

Yes. It is harder than we might think. And I won't write about that here. In another place I compared it to learning to ride a bike. It takes practice and time etc. At the beginning it is fun and you will likely have a few crashes. Those who can do it are likely to have practiced for years. Perhaps one way of describing the process is slow and intentional.

You do your best and that is enough.

Hi Everyone,

Smallwolf, love the distinction between mind full and mindfulness. Such an easy way to put something that can prove so complex or difficult. We learn through all our lives and I think these days there has been that tendency towards naming or thoroughly describing what is meant by a word or a concept etc. It can be very interesting but sometimes not exactly necessary. Sometimes we might find ourselves working so hard to fulfill the definition that we loose the concept in the process.

Personally, I find it helpful to try to remember how I did things and felt as a child or a teenager. I did some exercises which I liked and then learnt only few years ago that they are now called Pilates. Well, back then they were just exercises.
I have always loved nature and everything that comes with it: the smell, touch, texture, colour, sounds, temperature, just feeling immersed in it… And today this is also called mindfulness.

Thank you everyone! It really sounds like at the end of the day it is so important to be gentle with ourselves and our progress!

Thankyou Tim..and everyone for being a part of the discussion!..missep123...LTF...mmMekitty

Tim mentioned 'Mind full and mindful are different concepts'...

Nice1 👍

Paul