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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

Hi David

Its always good to have your input on the forums! I wrote this thread topic back in 2017 and mindfulness can be difficult enough to grasp without involving religion as its not relevant to the thread

I hope we can leave 'God' out of the discussion as religion is a very personal matter for many people

You are always welcome to create a new thread topic about religion or the book of revelations if you wish

my kind thoughts

Paul

Hi missep123, thanks! I like it too, quick and effective for me

smallwolf
Community Champion
Community Champion

Hi Everyone,

@Paul - I have own thoughts re religion and mindfulness. Let me know if you want to listen to my thoughts. Otherwise ...

Here are some tips when/after practicing mindfulness:

  • However I feel is valid.
  • I don't have to change anything.
  • All of these feelings can be here with me.
  • Put a comforting hand on your body where you feel the most discomfort.
  • Try to accept however you feel fully, even if just for this moment.

Hi everyone

I have been catching up on the recent post here and they are varied and thoughtful.

Thanks Paul for keeping this thread going.

Hi Tim and everyone...New posters are always welcome too!

Thankyou for your super ongoing support here and across the forums

Your 5 points (in your post above) bring peace and clarity to this thread...Your thoughts are always welcome Tim as you posess a sense of balance and care. I also have my own thoughts pertaining to religion and mindfulness like yourself. To be continued Tim...if thats okay 🙂

Hey Quirky....thankyou for your kind post....I havent been on the forums a lot as my mum just turned 91 and is doing it hard (still living independently)

my kind thoughts

Paul

geoff
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hello Paul, it was lovely to hear you speak on the radio this morning as a volunteer on Beyond Blue, your comments were apt, important and full of good advice and very much appreciated by the compare who wanted to add to your thoughts.

Thank you very much.

Your friend.

Geoff.

smallwolf
Community Champion
Community Champion

** Perhaps a little confusion between mindfulness and meditation also. **

I will say that mindfulness has its origin in eastern religions, rather than the singling out any particular one. Some argue there is also a history in Christianity. Also, 1000 years ago people and religion were interconnected compared to now. Within Christianity itself there is likely 3 camps in relation to the practice of mindfulness - those for, those against, and those in the middle.

Let's say that people in my family were against the ideas of mindfulness because of the association with eastern religions. Another aspect of this is a focus on the self and the promotion a one-with-the-cosmos worldview that some Christians would have issues with. Other Christians have no issue with this idea.

For myself I am a Christian and also a believer in mindfulness and meditation. And those beliefs would make me feel I am on the margins because I have the wrong beliefs or thoughts. For DnG's post ... I cannot comment on his beliefs except that it from a Christian perspective. I do not know of the ideas referred to in his post. But I am a simple man! Perhaps a way of understanding or making sense of our place.

Joseph Campbell said "My favorite definition of mythology: other people's religion. My favorite definition of religion: misunderstanding of mythology".

Whether we bind our religious ideas in this area is an individual choice. How that is done is perhaps best left for other topic or post.

An excellent thing to concentrate on when wanting to practise mindfulness I have found ...is when I stand on the beachfront boardwalk, and look over in the distance at someone frolicking with their dog either on the beach or in the water...delightful. Next time you happen to glimpse it, stay a while and really look at it..really "see" it..that's mindfulness.

blondguy
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

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

Hey Geoff...thankyou for your positive feedback about my discussion on radio the other day. If memory serves that conversation was relayed interstate and was replayed afterwards as well. Im just trying to stop the stigma where mental health is concerned...I had no idea you were listening!

Hey Tim....thankyou for your caring yet sensitive input where religion is concerned. There is nothing simple about you Tim. Your post was very helpful! You also mentioned "** Perhaps a little confusion between mindfulness and meditation also. **" Im not sure who that comment was directed to Tim, was for David?

Hey Moon!....Its always a treat to read your posts and thankyou for sharing how you practice mindfulness. That is an excellent example 🙂 We have been on these forums for a very l o n g time Moon!

my kind thoughts

Paul

smallwolf
Community Champion
Community Champion
Hey Paul. The reference to confusion is that sometimes people and content creators of webpages can talk about mindfulness in terms relating to meditation, which can be incorrect.