Mindfulness helps us to focus our attention. When we become focused, we are not caught up in the future or the past but only the present moment. Because we are not rejecting or clinging to an emotion or thought, we can remain open hearted for the present. It is easy to cultivate mindfulness when we understand it and have instruction on how to do it.
Mindfulness is at the core of teachings from Buddhism. It goes back centuries. Cultivation of a moment to moment awareness is a key component. It may be difficult to understand until you try it a few times. If you try it a little bit at a time, it may be easier to feel it and understand the concept.
Some time during your day, pause for a minute. Stop doing whatever activity you are doing and take a deep breath. Focus on your breath and you. Think about what you are feeling, what you sense in your body and what are you thinking. This is a first step toward awareness and cultivating mindfulness. Moments of mindfulness can include:
- Becoming aware and separating from your thought processes
- Understanding that it is non-verbal, as mindfulness cannot be explained but there is an awareness
- You are only centered in the present
- Mindfulness is non-judgmental-you are aware of yourself in the present moment-not of any thoughts that you may judge
- It is an experience that the mind and body are involved in
- It frees you from suffering and creates a feeling of freedom in that moment
When you return to activities of the day you may feel more open hearted, becoming more aware. As your mindfulness practice increases and your knowledge of it increases you can cultivate more compassion and wisdom, which foster freedom from suffering and negative emotion.
The Dalai Lama has said that wisdom and compassion are “two wings of a bird”. Compassion is when we have the means to be able to suffer for ourselves and others, wanting to ease the pain. We feel compassion when we have an awareness and acceptance of something, which arises from our wisdom. It is important to have wisdom, awareness and acceptance of ourselves, which can nurture an open heart and freedom from painful emotions.
Mindfulness requires practice to benefit from it. Perseverance and continued practice helps to build personal resources. This is so important for our lives and for creating resilience.
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