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

[Jackson85]

Hi Sueeetties,

Yep I think you're right, mindfulness can definitely be a way of life, rather than just sitting down and trying to 'be mindful' for that short period. I'm just learning myself, and like you, sometimes it's great, and sometimes I have a hard time not worrying about the future!

I have found the talks of Sam Harris quite interesting and useful. He has a bunch of videos on youtube about free will, and a great guided meditation video, where he talks you through how to be more in the moment. Many guides, including Sam Harris' emphasise that it's not about having no thoughts, or sitting quietly and in peace, but simply acknowledging how many thoughts we have, and how they just pop into our awareness without any doing of our own. The idea is then that when we feel anxious, or sad, or anything, our consciousness can see "oh now I'm seeing thoughts of anxiety", rather than just feeling like anxiety is ALL we are in that moment. It allows us to separate ourselves from our thoughts, given they're just presented to us, not of our own authorship. It's like if you see something horrible in a mirror, is that mirror now horrible, or is it just reflecting the horrible image? Our consciousness is that mirror, and accepting that it's just reflecting our unconscious thoughts enables us to detatch from all the worry and sadness we feel, and just watch it pass by (conceptually, it's easier said than done!)

Jackson85

[Moonstruck]

Dear Jackson and Sueetties.....I think you are on a similar track to me when it comes to understanding mindfulness...to me there is no "trying" , rather just being "aware" of either an object you can see, or your current surroundings...really looking at them, so intensely that no other intrusive thoughts even enter your head (as can happen in meditation)....the times I "went with" it, were wonderful.

One example: sitting in my back yard I looked up and "saw" seemingly for the first time, wind chimes that have been there for years. This time I "looked" at them properly and really "heard" the sweet tinkling sound they made....absolutely lovely!

The chimes were/are different shades of blue, well they seemed to change depending which way they swayed and twirled around in the soft breeze. I became aware of the wind chimes to the exclusion of anything else....just me and the wind chimes. I'd never "noticed" them properly in all these years.....this to me, was an experience of mindfulness.

.

[Jojo100]

I understand mindfulness to be about being more in the moment and not letting your thoughts run riot. I did an excercise in a group where you had to think of 5 things you could see then 5 things you could smell then 5 things you could hear then touch 5 things then think of 5 things you could taste. This was really grounding and easy to do no matter where you are. I found it helpful.

Another time When I was in a cafe I ate my lunch mindfully. The cafe had become a bit loud and my anxiety levels had gone up. When my lunch came I focused on each bite and each flavour and the texture of the meal. This really helped me a lot and my anxiety level came down and I was able to enjoy my lunch (which was a yummy Spanish omelet)

Jojo

[quirkywords]

Jackson, Suetties, Moon and Jojo, and everyone reading,

Thanks for your thoughts and it is always interest reading how others practice mindfulness. Moon, I get the being aware , and not trying but maybe I am different to most people. I saw this water dragon out the front baking in the sun one day and looked at it careful from a distance observed the way it basked and walked,/

While being aware and focusing on the lizard I thought about how I would like to bask in the sun but can not as it is dangerous for one self. Then I thought about how there are lots of things we used to do as children we don't do know. All this while being aware of the lizard.

So that is my attempt at mindfulness.

Quirky

[something_missing]

hi everyone, ok so wat is mindfulness. all i know is that my mind does not stop from the time i wake up till bed. got used to it. i did mention to jay last yr that sometimes wen i woke up i would feel extremely lonely and it felt like a void in my head. there would be absolulty nothing, to be truthful i found it a bit scary. that hasnt happened since i got on this site . wonder if lonleness had anything to do with it . any way enough rambling. thanks for lisening

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone! New members are welcome to post too 🙂

Hey Jackson85......Thank you for your fresh info re Mindfulness and your complimentary post too! You mentioned 'acceptance' which is a bonus on the forums as many choose to 'fight' the feelings of fear not realizing that they are only exacerbating their own symptoms

Dr Claire Weekes (a psychiatrist with anxiety/depression) also discussed calm and true 'acceptance' to reduce the fear cycle/pattern that mental illness can present. Thank you for outlining this form of therapy (acceptance)

Hey Sueetties....always great to read your valued input on this sometimes confusing mindset called 'Mindfulness'....It can be a confusing term as many people also confuse mindfulness with a 'busy mind' as I have done for a long time as I was counseled with 'grounding myself' to find some peace. Jackson85 has explained mindfulness very well. I am interested in how to use mindfulness when having a chronic anxiety attack (being frozen with anxiety)

Hey Moon! Your support is always balanced and appreciated...thank you! You mentioned "just being "aware" of either an object you can see, or your current surroundings...really looking at them, so intensely that no other
intrusive thoughts even enter your head" As Jackson85 mentioned this is the true basis for mindfulness....Are there any suggestions for people that experience severe anxiety attacks when they are close to/or actually hyperventilating? (no such question a dumb one!) Thank you Moon x

Hey Jojo100.....Thank you heaps for sharing your experience with mindfulness 🙂 You mentioned "I understand mindfulness to be about being more in the moment and not letting your thoughts run riot" This is spot on and an excellent understanding of mindfulness....You are a legend...seriously...I really like when you mentioned that you ate your lunch 'mindfully' ....which was a yummy Spanish Omelette....Very Nice!! 🙂

Hey Something Missing....Great to see you again and thank you for being part of the discussion too! You are spot on when you mentioned that it can be scary when we have a void in our mind. I felt exactly the same in the first few years of my anxiety/depression and I felt like I was 'just hanging on'....Is that what you meant?

Something Missing...you never ramble.....Your posts/input are just as important as mine or anyone else's on the forums..and good on you! I am still struggling as you are with mindfulness. Great to have you with us 🙂

thank you amazing people!

Paul

[blondguy]

Hey Quirky

Thank you for your support and heartfelt posts as well!

Your examples of mindfulness are always a good example of how to 'lose' yourself in the moment thus providing a reasonably calm mindset

Can I ask if mindfulness works for you prior or when you are having a anxiety attack? Please ignore this question if you have never had one....I just find mindfulness helpful when I am generally anxious yet when the anxiety spikes close to an attack it doesnt really help me......which is why I wrote this thread topic 🙂

Always a bonus to have your life experience on board Quirky

my kind thoughts always

Paul

[Guest_2496]

Hi Paul

Bringing yourself back to your breathing might help during those anxious / panic times. That’s a form of mindfulness too - just focusing on your breathing.

I have the Headspace app on my phone and there’s a three minute ‘panic’ meditation which (depending on the circumstances I’m in as to whether I can use it and / or me remembering in the panic that it will help!) I find does help. Often have to repeat it a few times in a row though 😉

annie

[quirkywords]

Paul

While I don't have panic attacks I do worry and overthink. I agree that if I am mildly worried mindfulness can help me focus.

Annie, people mention apps, and I have no idea how to get them or use them and people have tried to help. I suppose I am old school and google and read articles. I think I am too slow to learn.

Quirky

[Ggrand]

Hello lovely people...

I often get panic attacks..I seem to need to focus on something first before I can settle me...usually it’s my candles or the clouds or my suncatchers, then once I get focused on one of those I start picking up on the noises around me, listening to them as well, then continue to do nothing for a while, just looking and listening...

Everyone is different in the way they manage panic attacks..I thinks it’s a case of finding what works best for us...It took me a long time to find that the flames on the candles dancing around, the beautiful colours dancing around from my suncatchers and watching the fluffy clouds changing shape as they float across the sky..works for me most times..

I have several mindful apps on my phone and iPad..as well as meditation apps and I use them everyday for some peace....I really do try to do mindfulness daily even when not having a panic attack...

I hope everyone has some peace in their lives today...

Love and hugs for those who like them,,I know a caring hug can makes us feel so cared for and the few seconds it takes to give or receive a hug is such a beautiful little bit of mindfulness..

Grandy..