Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness Meditation is a method adapted from a Buddhist system of Meditation and was popularized by Jon Kabat-Zinn.
Mindfulness is essentially about wakefulness. When one is present to each moment as it unfolds, then one is said to be mindful. The nature of the mind is to generate thoughts which are often automatic and sometimes unconscious. Mindfulness Meditation requires one to remain awake and watchful of these thoughts. When we commit ourselves to paying attention in an open way, without falling prey to our own likes and dislikes, opinions and prejudices, projections and expectations, new possibilities open up and we have a chance to free ourselves from the straightjacket of unconsciousness.
Watching one's breath is an important component of this system. This technique is used to help bring the attention into the present moment.
Staying with one full in-breath as it comes in, one full out-breath as it goes out, keeping your mind open and free for just this moment, just this breath. Abandon all ideas of getting somewhere or having anything happen. Just keep returning to the breath when the mind wanders, stringing moments of mindfulness together breath by breath.
This technique can be utilized any time throughout the day. You may even take short breaks from whatever you find yourself doing, as every moment there is the space and time to become mindful.
When one observes the mind without getting caught up with the thoughts, one becomes aware of all the opinions and judgments. Mindfulness Meditation means becoming an impartial observer and not condemning yourself or your thoughts, even the ones that are judgmental. Our thoughts usually are merely uninformed private opinions, reactions and prejudices based on limited knowledge and influenced primarily by our past conditioning. When not recognized as such and named, our thinking can prevent us from seeing clearly in the present moment. Just being familiar with this deeply entrenched pattern and watching it as it happens can lead to non-judgmental receptivity and acceptance.
In practice, sit, rest, become mindful, sense into the stillness, notice that you Are, abide in that I Am.
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