Mindfulness Meditation 101
Mindfulness Meditation originates from southeastern Asian Buddhist tradition, Hinduism/Christianity. Mindfulness Meditation is the act of meditating while you are doing something physical, like walking, working out, or gardening. In a state of Mindfulness Meditation, you are ONLY focused/meditating on the present, creating a moment-to-moment reality for yourself.
In this state, future anxieties and past griefs are left behind and only the PRESENT is the focus.
This type of meditation helps decrease forgetfulness, helps organize your thoughts and decrease brain burn out, and it relaxes the mind. It trains the brain to remain in the present state, focusing attention away from stressful thoughts and grieving memories to the breath, the activity, or the influential activity/ or environment.
Mindfulness Meditation is great for those that suffer from Chronic pain, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, or obsessive disorders. MINDFULNESS MEDITATION IS NOT GOOD FOR PTSD OR SEIZURE VICTIMS, as it can produce psychosis, mania, and influence suicidal thoughts. Good substitutes for mindfulness meditation are yoga or deep breathing exercises like the one below.
Mindfulness Exercise
1. Find a quiet place free of distraction
2. Sit comfortably, with your back straight but relaxed
3. Focus your awareness on your breath. Pay attention to the sensations of the inhalation and exhalation. Start again on the next breath.
4. No need to judge or change your breathing in any way.
5. Notice anything else that comes to mind as a distraction. Let them go and return your attention to your breath.
**Keep a notebook and pen readily available. During meditation, energies flow and constructive thoughts present themselves.
