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

blondguy · ‎15-05-2017

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

Clues_Of_Blue · ‎18-04-2022

Hi all,

Smallwolf, cheers for your clarification about being in the present moment without judgement (yeah, I know that was re a comment from some while ago, thread got busy and I didn't have the brain space to keep up for a while). I agree with you too about regular mindfulness practice making it easier to engage in when it's really needed - admittedly a bit of a problem for me, I try to remember to do it, but my ADHD does undermine me a bit on that score (ADHD = forget all the things).

Paul, my partner struggles with anxiety and I do breathing exercises with him when he starts to hyperventilate - the whole slow "in through the nose, out through the mouth" thing. It works well, and calms him somewhat in the moment. That is a form of mindfulness - and something that can be explained after a person calms down. If you help them in that way, they don't really need to be confronted with confusing terminology in the moment and can learn about it in more depth later. Coming back to your friend with arthritis, I don't think the doctor suggested mindfulness out of a lack of other options, but because it has studied benefits for chronic pain management. It won't eliminate it, but the idea is about changing a person's relationship with pain, slowing the negative feelings and distress that come with it - the expectation of pain, the stress that comes with it and physical tensing of anxiety are all known to exacerbate existing pain, and mindfulness can decouple the pain itself from the emotional responses and thus increase the chances of positive outcomes from treatment. It's like a complementary therapy to help with physical treatments.The WA Government dept of health has a site called painHEALTH - it is really useful!

Kind thoughts to you all,

Blue.

GTL · ‎18-04-2022

Samādhi or one pointed concentration has obviously generated a enormous amount of thought here... there is some irony in this!

It pre-dates Buddhism, but has been popularised internationally from India internationally over the centuries. Each branch has it's own tweaks. I wish I visited a temple instead of the psychologist that only aped this convention.

Let's not think too much about it - the more we stress the more we lose the plot. The plot to mindfulness is that there shouldn't be one - if you are desiring concentration it becomes forced. So knit, breath and focus on breathing, draw, facet a stone. It doesn't matter. Don't force the issue - it is not a cure, it is an aid. Buddhists only do it because the philosophy and the dharma is exhausting and they are giving their brains a rest.

If you want a good tip - try Yoga Nidra and listen to a nice voice that does it for you - guru style - that moves your awareness from sounds to bodily sensations from your thumb to your feet. I can't meditate when I'm exhausted. No one can. It is a challenge. I needs to be effortless and when I'm tired, a recording really works without stressing about how to do it. Go from there - but rest and quieten the mind and lose the desire to perfect the process!

smallwolf · ‎18-04-2022

A way of adding mindfulness into your day ...

Sit up in you bed. (You could do this in a chair or on the floor. For myself, once I get out of the bed I sort of run on auto-pilot making it harder to start.)
Take 3 long deep breaths - in through the nose and out through the mouth. Notice the rise and fall of your stomach as you breath in and out.
Ask yourself - what is my intention for today?
Set your intention for the day. For example your intention might be something like "to be kind to myself and patient with others".

To go one step further you could check-in with yourself to see how you are aligning yourself with the intention you set at the start of the day.

You might ask yourself ... how can I keep going each day with this exercise?

We stick reminders on the fridge to tell us, to remind us of, what we have to do today, in the week or month. It could be a shopping list. Or reminder to make an appointment.

Rather than putting the reminder on the fridge, put the above onto a note beside your bed so that when you wake up, you will see it and then do it.

I am not telling everyone this is what you should be doing. Rather, it is just one example of of incorporating mindfulness into your day and find a way to make it part of each day.

missep123 · ‎25-04-2022

I don't know if this is considered mindfulness or not but I read that some people like to say out loud 'Show me how good today is going to get!" first thing in the morning to set the intention to be open to good experiences or just put you into that frame of mind!

What does everyone think about this?

blondguy · ‎27-04-2022

Hi Everyone...smallwolf/Tim and thankyou heaps for your heartfelt support re Mindfulness

Hey Blue....Thankyou for sharing about the breathing technique...when you mentioned 'my partner struggles with anxiety and I do breathing exercises with him when he starts to hyperventilate - the whole slow "in through the nose, out through the mouth" thing. It works well, and calms him somewhat in the moment' You also mentioned this a form of mindfulness which helps a lot 🙂

Just a note on breathing techniques Blue...except for your and Tims helpful posts are many people that think that 'deep breathing' on its own can bring a sense of calm...and this incorrect and can result in hyperventilation...Thankyou for explaining the correct technique....

Blue...my friend has rheumatoid arthritis...not osteoarthritis or arthritis....I doubt that 'mindfulness' will help with the acute pain that accompanies joint deformity. Your advice re mindfulness and arthritic pain is very helpful though!

Hi GTL....Welcome and thankyou for being a part of the forum family with your helpful input 🙂

GTL mentioned 'rest and quieten the mind and lose the desire to perfect the process' Brilliant GTL

Hey Missep123.....Its always a bonus to see you, and what you mentioned is mindfulness to me..Its a positive and calm way to start the day...Missep123 mentioned 'first thing in the morning to set the intention to be open to good experiences '

my kind thoughts

Paul

CMF · ‎11-05-2022

Hi all,

It's common to feel anxious upon waking in the morning. I try the 'think of 3 positives' technique. In my head I stay 'Stop, go away' & think of 3 positive things.

I also try to remember how i feel when I don't have anxiety & remind myself I can feel good & not be worrying.

Cmf

quirkywords · ‎12-05-2022

CMF

I am not a morning person and often feel a bit low or teary. I used to go for a walk and practice mindfulness but it is too could and wet so I do time on a rowing machine.
I think of nothing but the exercise and gradually I feel better.
Thanks Paul for your summaries of the post, as it is useful .

CMF · ‎13-05-2022

Hi Quirky,

I think the rowing machine sounds perfect. The continuous rhythm would be relaxing plus good exercise. Tonight we went to a school performance. The opening performance were students ayi g various drums. Similar to an army/marching band. It was very soothing ,& relaxing. The rhythmic beating of the drums had me mesmerised. I was completely in the moment.

Cmf

mmMekitty · ‎13-05-2022

Hi CMF,

I love those times when nothing exists between & beyond me & the music. 😹

smallwolf · ‎14-05-2022

Hi CMF,

Changing how our mind thinks takes time. Even when you cannot believe the messages you tell yourself do it the next day.

A trigger for me was waking and thinking there were things I should have done or some disaster I felt responsible to fix. And as I got closer to my laptop to open, turn on, etc. my heart would race faster. Now, if there was no bad email to look at, I would breath a sigh of relief but think that it has not come yet for today. In short, a trigger.

Perhaps not quite the same as you. Similar?

I won't tell you how long it has taken me to get over that.

And if that does not work, then rowing? As you suggested in your post.

Whatever exercise you do, please understand it is natural for the mind to drift or counter with negative thoughts. And when that happens, bring yourself back to what you were doing or saying, and continue that practice. In these moments, remember that doing it is half the battle and you are doing the best you can, and that is all that can be asked.