What do you think about mindfulness? Do you like the idea of it but aren’t sure what it really is or means? Do you practice it often?
Mindfulness is simply being present in each moment. Being intentional, conscious, and fully engaged in what is happening around you, without judgement. Acceptance is a key component to mindfulness.
And mindfulness has benefits. Offering our presence to the moment offers clarity and connection not only to the moment, but to those we are in the moment with. We see beauty, experience deeper emotion, connect with creativity. And that’s not all.
According to Mindful.com, “When we’re mindful, we reduce stress, enhance performance, gain insight and awareness through observing our own mind, and increase our attention to others’ well-being.” Not too shabby, eh?
What I love most about that passage is “gain insight and awareness”. Yes, mindfulness helps with stress, anxiety, and performance, but it lets us hear our inner voice and the voice of Source (whether you envision Source as God, nature, universal energy, or simply the frequency of life).
Shhhh…listen…did you hear that?
Your inner voice is always speaking to you. It speaks to you through your intuition, those gut feelings, premonitions, random curiosities and more. With our busy lives it can be easy to shut “ourselves” out, mindfulness reopens the lines of communication.
The same thing is true with the messages life is offering to us. Who or what is showing up in your life? Is it time for a pattern change? Perhaps new friendships? Life (Source) is always speaking to us, but we’re not always listening. That’s what mindfulness offers. Through the simple act of listening to the messages of the moment, we can improve our lives and the lives of others by simply following the flow.
Types of mindfulness practices
Mindfulness is an innate state of being, we already have the ability to be present. That said, there are ways to cultivate it and make this state being more consistent.
If you’re wondering how to enhance your everyday mindfulness, here are 3 types of mindfulness practices from the experts at mindful.com.
- Seated, walking, standing, moving, or lying down meditation
- Insert short pauses into everyday life, savor foods as well as conversations
- Merging meditation with other activity such as yoga or sports
Moving forward
Mindfulness is more a way of living than something you set aside and do periodically. The act of bringing presence, awareness and non-judgment into more of your moments cuts out a generous amount of stress we may otherwise be experiencing.
As you go through your day, set the intention of being present. Notice how you feel in your body. Notice your emotions. Notice your interactions with others. Notice how mindfulness makes a difference in your life.