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Surely you have already heard about mindfulness , you have heard or read many things about it. But, has it been clear to you what it consists of? Mindfulness, also called “Mindfulness” really is not something that has been invented now. Its roots are ancient since it comes from meditation.
What difference is there then between meditation and mindfulness? Mindfulness is the scientific term that has been given to specific meditation practices. Science, of course, has focused on what can be measured, and what can be shown to have benefits for our health.
Meditation has a less precise meaning, since within meditation there are many different practices. In short, mindfulness is used especially for when we move in scientific or academic terms.
The concept “mindfulness” comes from the English translation of Sati, which is a term from the Pali language , which means awareness, attention and remembrance. In the Spanish language it is translated as “Full attention”.
Many definitions have been provided to this concept. We can say that its essence goes far beyond words. Its importance lies in living the personal experience of what so much tries to be described. Its basic pillar revolves around awareness of the present moment.
It is important to clarify that mindfulness, contrary to what can happen with meditation, is not related to the spiritual, the transpersonal, ideals or religious beliefs Anyone who is interested in improving their personal well-being, and acquiring an attitude towards life that is more beneficial to you ; Mindfulness practice can be of great help to you.
In the following text we will reveal the objective of mindfulness and its benefits, which have been proven by science , and many health professionals are already putting it into practice with their patients. We will also see what it consists of and what is needed to practice it.
The goal of mindfulness
There has been a lot of theory on mindfulness, but this is not really what is going to help us. Reading about this practice can motivate and guide us to do it, but to really understand what it is, applying it to experience is absolutely essential . As Buddhism tells us: words are only the finger pointing to the moon, not the moon itself . You have to know that in order to really know this practice, you have to carry it out.
Mindfulness has the essential objective of paying attention in a special way , in an intentional way, to attend exclusively to the present moment, without judging. This leads us to experience what we are living, to be able to observe it, being aware of what is produced in our mind moment by moment.
In the therapeutic context, mindfulness focuses on three basic aspects such as: awareness, the experience of the present and acceptance. This means exercising our mind so that it is in a state to which we are not used, being peculiar, to remain in it for a considerable period of time.
By exercising this practice, it is intended, as has been proven, that lasting changes occur (in the medium and long term) in our brain function . Neurobiological research has shown how the changes that occur in our state are transformed into trait changes. Something really surprising and hopeful. Knowing this, few people will be able to justify undesirable behavior with the typical phrase “I am like that, I can no longer change it.”
The objective is that we learn to connect with ourselves, to get away from excuses, judgments and complaints. To get closer to our reality, without seeing it as good or bad, but simply as what it is, without judging it. This leads us down the path of acceptance, without resignation . This vision that is capable of producing important and lasting changes in our minds, how does it manifest itself in our lives? We will see it next …
What benefits does your practice bring us?
The benefits that are obtained with the practice of mindfulness can be verified in the medium and long term. It requires effort and commitment on our part to obtain the desired results. Expectations and impatience must be put aside, as they are enemies of this process that extends over time. The main benefit that we will acquire with practice is to calm the mind to see clearly .
What does it mean to calm the mind? You may be wondering, and see clearly? This is something quite profound and as we have said before we can explain it to you but what matters is that you live it and experience it, only then will you be able to understand it.
Usually our mind is not in a calm state. In the world we live in, turmoil is continuous . Science has a concept to define this state of our mind, it calls it “monkey mind.” and again.
We are not talking about mere thoughts that help us to reflect, and to solve problems, we are talking about those thoughts that we all know, that flood us and generate anxiety, that we feel control and dominate us. The problem with these thoughts is that they accentuate our problems and end up making us despair, feeling trapped in them.
On the one hand there is our brooding mind that worries excessively about what will happen in the future, on the other hand there is nostalgia and attachment that constantly lead us to remain in the past, which causes us to ruminate (looping thoughts about happened in the past). Living like this, in this state, as we have learned, means that we cannot focus on what is happening in the present moment. The cogitation and rumination generate an anxiety that we just leading to various types of psychopathology.
This way of being in life, which supposes that we cannot focus on our present, has the consequence of avoiding reality, of what is happening at every moment in the moment we live .
For this reason, the calm of mind that the practice of mindfulness leads us to can change these mental processes with which we are used to living. To locate ourselves in the experience and in what we are living, we must learn to focus our attention, directing it to the right place, increasing its power; to see our reality more clearly, without judging it as good or bad. This is possible (as has been proven) thanks to the practice of mindfulness.
Reaching this state also helps us to better connect with others, enjoying greater empathy and compassion . Which leads us to have deeper, honest and satisfying relationships.
What we need to practice mindfulness
Today there are many possibilities to practice mindfulness, since it is possible to do it both in a specialized place, with professionals who guide us, and in our own home. That already depends on what we want the most and how comfortable we feel.
If you decide to do it at home, we are going to give you some indications so that you begin your commitment to this practice:
Start by choosing a suitable place: where you sit as comfortably as possible. It conditions the place with smells, representative figures, dim light; and most importantly, that the place is away from noise and possible distractions.
Reserve it exclusively for yourself, and make it your place where you can focus and relax when you need it.
Commit to one moment a day : choose a time of day to do this practice on a daily basis. Try to ensure that each day is in the same place and at the same time, this makes it easier for you to focus earlier and obtain a greater commitment to yourself.
Find a comfortable position: do not complicate yourself with the position, it does not have to be the one used by the most experts from the beginning. The important thing is that you can be in this position for at least half an hour without causing muscle discomfort. Make sure that with the posture you relax the muscles and help you eliminate tensions, try to be with your back straight but without being totally rigid.
Use a timer : this especially at the beginning helps you to better control the times so that you can relax. You choose, 15, 20 or 30 minutes. The time you want to commit to dedicate exclusively to mindfulness. The time you can choose at the beginning something less and increase as you gain more experience. Once you choose it, dedicate yourself completely to the practice, with full concentration, and the clock will warn you.
These are the essential aspects to consider to begin with the practice of mindfulness. There is a wide variety of exercises that you can find online and specialized books. Find the focus of attention , where to place your mind so that you practice your permanent encounter with the present. Learn to observe your thoughts, your bodily sensations, to focus all your energy on silence or on a melody. The possibilities are as varied as your mind can imagine. The most important thing is that you learn to be aware of the present moment, whatever happens, without escaping from it.
Hello Readers, I am Nikki Bella a Psychology student. I have always been concerned about human behavior and the mental processes that lead us to act and think the way we do. My collaboration as an editor in the psychology area of Well Being Pole has allowed me to investigate further and expand my knowledge in the field of mental health; I have also acquired great knowledge about physical health and well-being, two fundamental bases that are directly related and are part of all mental health.