| Mindfulness is an increasingly popular concept that is | | | | Once we become aware and tune into our mind |
| taking hold in the self-help and medical worlds. There is | | | | chatter, it can be shocking to realize how much |
| a great deal of interest in mindfulness practice among | | | | judgment and commentary is being produced there! |
| western clinical psychologists and psychiatrists as a | | | | By the simple act of noticing the mind chatter, we |
| natural way to reduce stress, anxiety, and chronic pain. | | | | have the ability to analyze it or stop it. We can |
| Mindfulness is awareness of one's current thoughts, | | | | observe the thoughts without judging them or |
| actions or motivations. It has roots in Buddhism, but the | | | | ourselves for having them. |
| modern interpretation of mindfulness is a secular one | | | | Thoughts are just that. They may not have any |
| that is not connected to any religion. | | | | connection to reality or intent. If we understand that |
| Mindfulness is the ability to intentionally create a | | | | thoughts can be released, we can let go of the ones |
| “present moment” awareness without applying | | | | that are not positive, productive, or truthful. |
| our personal filters or lenses of judgment to a situation. | | | | Problems arise in our inner and outer realities when we |
| We may do damage to our personal or business | | | | get trapped by negative or untruthful self-talk. This |
| relationships when we’re quick to interpret events | | | | happens when we react to our mind’s |
| and interaction with others with an emotional response. | | | | commentary without analyzing it first. Many of our |
| The goal of mindfulness is to be open and | | | | thoughts may not be truthful or helpful to us in any |
| non-judgmental about what’s happening externally | | | | way. |
| as well as any emotions that are arising internally at | | | | To be present in the moment, we should also be a |
| the present moment. | | | | witness to the positive and beautiful thoughts and |
| When we move our awareness from thoughts about | | | | sensations we experience. We can bring awareness |
| the future or past into the present moment, we are | | | | to our breath, to the cool wind, to the warm water we |
| practicing mindfulness. The more frequently we can | | | | bathe in, or to the complex taste of the food we eat. |
| live in the present, the more peace we find in our inner | | | | When we approach our thoughts and emotions with |
| and outer realities. | | | | curiosity as they come and go, we take control of our |
| Our internal peace comes from the ability to notice and | | | | mind, instead of letting our mind take control of us. |
| then quiet the self-talk or chatter going on in our mind. | | | | |