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

[highlysensitivepersonhsp]

Quirky, your tree hugging experience sounds very much like mindfulness. Don't worry that you can't define it in words. Dr Ronald Siegel acknowledges that mindfulness is hard to put into words because he says it is a non verbal attitude of being aware of your present experience together with acceptance of the awareness.

He says that mindfulness is being attentive to what's happening in the moment rather than operating on autopilot and not being attentive to experience, whether it's positive or negative.

Meditation helps us learn how to focus our attention and to bring the mind back to the present when it wanders. This is the basis for mindfulness. They say that mindfulness is single tasking which means being wholeheartedly present in our lives rather than future or past focused, being too goal focused, too seeking of pleasure and avoidance of pain, and so on. All the mental processes that take us out of the moment.

As an aside I think that the real danger is our conditioning, but that's another story. Siegel says our problems stem from our evolution, our biology and our existence in this world.

Source: the mindfulness solution, by Ronald D. Siegel.

[blondguy]

Hey Quirky and HSP

hsp mentioned "mindfulness is being attentive to what's happening in the moment rather
than operating on autopilot and not being attentive to experience, whether it's positive or negative"

Thanks Sandra....I am definitely going to have a look at your source. The more information we can get on Mindfulness the better. I was taught how to 'ground' myself and focus on the moment but I am trying to learn

"The Mindfulness Solution, by Ronald D. Siegel"

Have a great weekend

Paul

[highlysensitivepersonhsp]

Hi Paul. Thanks for starting this thread. It shows leadership in starting a discussion like this.

There is much to be learned about the mind through mindfulness. I am reading Siegel for the third time and I am surprised by how much I have missed.

Having said that, I think now that mind management is the solution, rather than a fixation with present awareness. I am starting to think about what principles guide me. So far I have come up with three key principles: to live consciously, to live responsibly, and to live independently.

These three lead to self empowerment. To wisdom of choice. To minimising of pain and suffering.

would you like to share your own insights with us?

Sandra.

[Starwolf]

Well done Quirky for your tree hugging experience. Yes, that's being in the moment. Taking in the feel of that particular tree with as many senses involved as possible.

Good on you for not worrying about people seeing you (that's a stone thrown in mindfulness still waters). I often hug trees in the surrounding bush. They all have a different feel, a different vibe. So they all have a different effect on my mood. I have my favourites and will hug a particular one to suit a particular state of mind. Any animal could tell you that trees have a lot more to offer than shade. I find that standing with my back against the trunk allows to tune in better. Probably because our nervous system starts from the spine. It takes a bit of practice to perceive the nature of a particular plant that way.

You should see the looks I get from the dogs...they stare, question, give the tree a sniff inspection and end up cocking a leg against it to show me what trees are for and how it's done. For some of them, it is a matter of "OK, for some weird reason, this tree is important to her so let's mark it as ours". Others will show contempt that way. It takes mindfulness to figure that the same behaviour may mean something different for different dogs. Tuning into an individual animal, regardless of what training manuals and expert advice have shoved into the mind...and lumped under the same label. Yet another example of the mindful approach to life...

It can be applied to anything. But of course, if you are for example carpeting a room, the logical mind will need to be engaged to take accurate measures. Becoming lost in the carpet patterns won't get that job done ! Ideally, depending on the task at hand, both sides of the brain can work together.

[quirkywords]

Starwolf

I like your description of the dogs and the trees- made me smile.

Sandra

I am interested while I am trying to be in the moment you are suggesting mind management and living independently, responsibly and consciously. . I would hope everyone lives or aims to live by those principles.

Is the idea to minimise one's own pain and suffering or that of others?

Self empowerment is a word one's hears a lot in self help books and at expensive workshops, but I wonder what it really means .

I admire your wisdom and you dedication to self learning and hope you can answer my questions.

Quirky

[highlysensitivepersonhsp]

Hi Quirky.

So many people are oblivious to the mental games played by those who wield power in the world. The deceptions, manipulations, abuses suffered by those who have no idea how to protect themselves. Even something simple like watching the telly, especially ads, is a minefield of abuse. The same goes for newspapers, etc. Most everything and everyone is an assault on our rights to make wise and conscious choices that are good for us and the planet.

So living consciously is not something most people do. They don't see through the games. The truth is hidden behind an agenda of how one person can take advantage of another. The system mandates it. It makes it happen.

When one is awakened to the abuse, one has the power to protect oneself. But there are still many victims. Many who never wake to the abuses of the world upon the people and the planet. Victims who suffer for their inability to see.

I make choices everyday that support my awareness, my consciousness. That's why I now see mind management as more encompassing than mindfulness. Even daydreaming has its place. I come at this through independent, responsible and conscious thought. It's about what's right.

Sandra

[quirkywords]

Sandra

Thanks for reply.

You have written a lot for us to think about.

I will need to reflect on your words.

Quirky

[Guest_1055]

Thanks Star for saying this:

" But of course, if you are for example carpeting a room, the logical mind will need to be engaged to take accurate measures. Becoming lost in the carpet patterns won't get that job done ! Ideally, depending on the task at hand, both sides of the brain can work together."

Star that is me. I would likely get lost somehow in the pattern of that carpet. Like looking at the shapes, swirls, colours and would most likely smell the scent quite strongly of the new carpet. I have to discipline myself to actually do the task itself, which is not an easy task to do that. I never really thought it utilises a different part of the brain in that process. But it does doesn't it.?

Anyway thanks heaps Star...

Shelle belle xx

[blondguy]

Hi everybody and thankyou for the great posts too 🙂

HSP (Sandra) mentioned "to live consciously, to live responsibly, and to live independently" These three points being your 3 keys to empowerment are simple yet very effective.

I have similar keys that unlock the 'dark door' of anxiety/depression.

• Taking life much less seriously
• Living for today......not tomorrow or what is may or may not bring
• Practicing acceptance of my current situation thus reducing any unnecessary frustration/disappointment
• Truly understanding how much of our life is wasted by overthinking and catastrophising (Thanks Star)

Thankyou for the inspirational post Sandra and asking me my thoughts on this

kind thoughts. Paul

[Starwolf]

Thank you Shelle-Belle.

Depending on what it is applied to, mindfulness can be used as an escape. I have often been "guilty" of that in the past and temptation is still lurking. I guess it is like everything else, including our most precious gifts and talents...it all depends how we use it, whether we control it or it controls us.

Sandra, I'm with you re conscious living. The human world is a jungle​ (with deceit and stalking predators in abundance)...just a lot less straight-forward than its natural counterpart. Observation plays a major part in noticing what is going on. It always surprised me how easy to fool we are. There again, we do that a lot to ourselves. Generally, we tend to look at everything from one single angle. When another perspective is presented, many are shocked by its relevance and say "oh yeah...I never looked at it that way". But many are disturbed by viewing something from a different standpoint. It often demands questioning the one they have grown comfortable with and many are not prepared to do that. So the mind shuts/filter out the evidence...a misguided protective measure.