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Our society is a fast paced one, zeroing in on achievement and success as goals. With this lifestyle comes stress and a sense of being overburdened.
The practice of mindfulness can serve to ease some of the pressure of a fast paced life as well as relieve some of the symptoms of stress that make everyday living even painful. In order to find relief from this stress people often turn to alcohol, cigarettes or other drugs to soothe us. Sometimes an innocent cup of coffee can in reality be an attempt to self soothe or re-energize with caffeine in order to face the stress of the day. Living mindfully can help one to slow down, take notice of urges and of stress points and acknowledge them. In this acknowledgment these stress points become more controllable and less dangerous to our bodies and our minds. What is Mindfulness Mindfulness is a Buddhist concept that requires that one stop and be aware of the richness and potential of each moment as it happens in the present. It requires that a person pay attention to their body/mind urges and needs and find ways of fulfilling those needs in healthy ways. It is a quality of openness, of being present to the very moment one exists in at that time. It is not about ruminating about the past or projecting about the future. It is about the here and now. it is about what the body and mind are saying in the present moment. Mindfulness is about the little things and can thus increase one’s awareness and openness to ourselves and to others. Ways to Mindfulness Mindfulness just does not happen, it takes work on people's part to stay in a mindful frame of mind. First of all it requires that a person always return to the present moment. This is not about looking at the past or projecting into the future, it is about the now. If one is walking then one is mindful of walking. If one is conscious of being aware of the beauty of the surroundings that this is what is on one's mind. If one is washing dishes than the most important thing is the feel of the soap, the smoothness of the dishes, the clang of the pots banging together and the feel of the water over one's hands. it is truly in the moment existence. To be mindful is to be aware that life is a process not an end result. Change happens always. Many times a person can do nothing but note the change and move with it. This requires acceptance and being present to the change. Avoid fighting it. Use journaling techniques to explore feelings about changes and challenges and how to accept them. Try mediation. A simple meditative technique is to sit comfortably in a chair or on the floor and simply breathe in and out. Breathing is the most fundamental part of who we are. Count your breaths, one in, two out, three in, four out until you reach ten and start over. Let your thought wash over you and pass through you but don't remain with the thought remain with the breathing. Mediation can help calm you, refocus you and ground you so that you can remain in the moment of any situation. Connect with nature, beauty and healthy relationships. Mindfully embrace a beautiful meadow or a day at the museum honestly seeing what is front of your eyes. In the process of building relationships, value honesty and positivity rather than mutual commiseration. Be there for one another in positive ways always reminding one another to be mindful of the present moment. Hold on to and embrace difficult emotions. Emotions exist and are painful, but they do not need to be acted upon or ruminated over. Recognize that you feel something and then let it wash over you like a wave. When the emotion is particularly difficult depend on your mindful breathing for relief. Finally, when you feel yourself losing control remind yourself of the peacefulness of being mindful and try to gently bring yourself back through looking at things in the present moment, a short breathing break, or a mindful walk. Mindfulness will not cure social ills or make anyone's life perfects, but it just may make stressful lifestyles a little easier to cope with.
The copyright of the article Living Mindfully in Alternative Spirituality is owned by Kathy Schlossmacher. Permission to republish Living Mindfully in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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