mind·ful·ness
/ˈmīn(d)f(ə)lnəs/
a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.
When you’re on this spiritual journey, you tend to hear the word ‘mindful’ and it’s variants quite often. However, it is never really explained, only assumed to be known.
Is it a practice?
Is it a state of mind?
Is it a subtype of spirituality?
Do I have to be hyper-aware of every single thing going on around me?
To put it plainly, mindfulness is the state that allows you to be conscious and aware of all happenings inside and outside of you without being emotionally triggered.
As Deepak Chopra explained it best: Being mindful = Always being in the knowing that our thoughts create our reality.
Here Are Five Ways To Bring Mindfulness Into Your Life:
- Meditate. Take at least 30 minutes each day to silence your mind and achieve a clear, still and well balanced mental state.
- Pay more attention to the “little stuff”. We all run on auto-pilot as humans and pay our simple daily tasks no mind. For example, next time you brush your teeth, take some time to be grateful for that activity (no matter how mundane it is), and be more conscious of every subsequent action you do.
- Open your mind up. Recognize that this world is bigger than you, your family, your neighbourhood, your school, your job, etc. This enables you to step out of your comfort zone whilst becoming more aware of what others are experiencing.
- Focus on one thing at a time. Multitasking can make your mind feel scattered and anxious, channelling your energy onto one thing at a given time amplifies your performance while reducing agitation.
- Live in the present. This is a given, but worthy of a reminder. Do not panic about tomorrow, or cry about yesterday. That mind state only enhances depression and anxiety. Live your life as if it was your first and last day on Earth.
Happy Mindfulness!
