Mindfulness Meditation 101

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.

Remember that meditation is not for peacefulness and blissfulness, but for openness and awareness of that is good and bad.

FORGIVENESS....It's more about you than them

FORGIVENESS

Forgiveness can be achieved through understanding and present-mindedness. In a mental state of understanding and present-mindedness an individual lives out an experience as an observer as well as an active participant. They are not simply letting things happen to them. They are gathering all information provided from the experience to aide in formulating the "lesson" learned from the event. Once the information is gathered the individual....YOU....are allowed to let go! I repeat....you are allowed to let go!

Forgiveness is not about the other person. Forgiveness is granted by YOU so that you can release the negative energies attached to the event. Harboring negative energy stops you from living! Negative energy magnifies life imbalance and draws more negativity towards you.

Honor your own peace of mind and positivity by letting go! Learn the lesson and then forgive so that you can move forward in life.

Expressive Therapies

Expressive Therapies Anyone can do it!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Vivid, LLC presents Creative Color Healing Expressive therapies are interactive, client-centered approaches that employ creativity and self-assessment as mental and behavioral health treatment. There are three types of expressive therapies: *Action Therapies- therapies that require/involve active participants; results stem from    participation *Verbal Therapies- therapies that involve verbal expressions *Non-Verbal Therapies- therapies that involve non-verbal expressions Expressive therapies come in many forms: Writing Therapy Photography Therapy                            The Benefits of Expressive Therapies Music and Imagery help treat chronic pain, relaxation, and childbirth Art and Play help with debriefing, resolution, and recovery (Adding visual art activities into counseling treatment plans with adults helps resistant and ineffective therapies) Writing helps with asthma, arthritis, and PTSD Other benefits include: 1.     Self-Expression-client discoveries personal meaning and understanding w/ no restrictions; non-verbal; client experiences the release of emotions offers therapeutic value 2.     Active Participation- action therapies; the experience of doing & creating 3.     Imagination- imagination is a healing agent that helps individuals move preconceived beliefs of their abilities to news of communication/ experiences that involves “pretend” 4.     Mind-body connections- improves relaxation and state of calmness and confidence There is one basic limitation to expressive therapies. People do not know/forgot how to let go; we live by boundaries and therefore limit our ability to be creative and free.