What Is Mindfulness and What Are the Benefits of Mindfulness?

Jane Taylor
JT - The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers

“Mindfulness is simply being aware of what is happening right now without wishing it were different; enjoying the pleasant without holding on when it changes (which it will); being with the unpleasant without fearing it will always be this way (which it won’t).” ~ James Baraz

Feeling as though you are on Groundhog Day? Overwhelmed by everything you have to do in your day?

If so, you may like to keep reading as today I am going to be discussing mindfulness.

In this post I am going to explore –

  • What is Mindfulness?
  • What are the Benefits of Mindfulness?
  • Is Mindfulness Meditation the same as other types of meditation?

 

So, What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness in everyday life is the ultimate challenge and practice. It is a way of being, of seeing, of tapping into the full range of our humanity – often seen in playful children fully experiencing life in the here and now. Mindfulness is described by Jon Kabat-Zinn (1994)

“as paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgementally” (p.4).

Bob Stahl and Elisha Goldstein (2010) report “in Sanskrit, it’s known as smrti, from the root word smr, meaning “to remember” and in Pali, the language of the earliest Buddhist scriptures, it’s known as sati (mindfulness)” (p.15).

Through the practice of mindfulness, individuals can become more aware of their thoughts, feelings and body sensations in the present moment. This observing, non-reactive perspective enables you to consciously respond with clarity and focus, rather than react out of a habitual pattern. It opens up the possibility of working more wisely with difficulties in life and choose what is nourishing to ourselves and others.

In the following clip Jon Kabat-Zinn also discusses mindfulness as “…presence of heart”. You can see more by clicking on the clip –

What are the Benefits of Mindfulness?

As indicated above, through the practice of mindfulness, individuals can become more aware of their thoughts, feelings and body sensations in the present moment. This observing, non-reactive perspective enables you to consciously respond with clarity and focus, rather than react out of a habitual pattern. It opens up the possibility of working more wisely with difficulties in life and choose what is nourishing to ourselves and others.

Some of the other benefits of mindfulness include –

  • decreasing the symptoms of anxiety,
  • increasing a sense of empathy and spirituality,
  • decreasing symptoms of chronic pain,
  • reduce stress levels in healthy people,
  • decreasing symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder,
  • increasing well-being,
  • helpful in reducing the effects of psoriasis,
  • preventing relapse in depression and drug addiction, and
  • decreasing stress and enhancing quality of life for those with breast and prostate cancer.

Is Mindfulness Meditation the same as other Types of Meditation?

There are essentially two forms of meditation – insight and concentration. Mindfulness meditation is considered insight meditation as it brings awareness to the whole body and mind in the present moment. Mindfulness meditation brings attention to the whole experience (thoughts, smells, sight, tastes, body sensations, sounds) without judging or altering the experience in any way. The key is to simply observe, which is generally different from what we usually do. In our everyday life, we usually do not see life as it is – we see life through a screen of thoughts, concepts and memories and we mistake those mental object as reality itself. Subsequently, life flows by unnoticed.

Bob Stahl and Elisha Goldstein (2010), indicate that as you practice,

“… you begin to discover the causes of your own suffering and discover a pathway to greater freedom” (p.8).

Concentration meditation focuses more on concepts, imagery and mantras.

Over to You…

I hope this post has given you some more information on mindfulness and 3 simple ways to practice mindfulness now. If you are ready to reclaim your courage and take the next step towards freedom and opening your heart, why not join our Toolkit?

References:

Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness. New York, USA: Bantam Dell.

Kabat-Zinn, J. (1994). Wherever You Go, There You Are – Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life. New York, USA: Hyperion.

Stahl, B., & Goldstein, E. (2010). A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook. Oakland, USA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc.

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