Mindfulness, it is growing in media popularity as a topic that is actually ancient but sort of organically resurfacing to solve today’s world problems. Funny how all the classics find their way back in a sort-of rebirth, renewal, or sometimes as an “I told ya so!”
Today’s Practice: Release judgment and just “BE”.
We are Human Beings. I was always taught the easiest way to recognize a Verb (an action word), is to see the ending “ing”. This explains why we are defined as Human “Beings” because we are pretty much always in action. Our Minds are “Being” all day, every day, which is one of the main reasons we need sleep.
So, to intently practice stillness means you develop an ability to just “Be”. Rather than allowing the mind to continue on the stream of nonstop thoughts we carve out time to create space from the nonstop, to the present moment.
WHY? The space that is created when we slow down or stop thought during a mindfulness practice allows us to build resilience and create a stronger healthier mind.
HOW? By recognizing the breath, we dismiss all other thoughts, invite an openness which invites a sense of centering and the feeling of clarity. Try breathing, with a nonjudgmental focus on only your breath, for 10 inhale & exhales. (If thoughts arise, return to your breath).
WHAT? What did you experience? What did you feel? Remaining mindful usually brings about an awareness that in the moment, you are present, alive, here, and that one breath at a time you are “ok”.
WHO? Who are you again? You are a Human “Being”. You are not your thoughts, you are not your troubles, you are not your worries, you are not your faults, you are not your wins, you are not your past, you are not your parents, etc… When “Being”, try on a more frequent basis to bring the “BE” into “Being”; the “Be” is the stillness, the presence, the awareness.
WHERE? Where does that get you? By Being Present more frequently, in the moment of your Being, you realize there is always only this moment, there is nothing to worry about because in this moment I am Good, I’m Okay, I just AM.
WHEN? When life brings you trauma, drama, or issues you would define as problems (as it always does). You will be able to return to your awareness of the present moment, focus on your breath and realize – I have acceptance for this moment, it too shall pass. When I am practicing mindfulness, I am building resilience. I do not crumble or falter or believe that hard times will ruin me; I learn they are a moment, just like all the other moments I have sat with. When I find acceptance with the present moment, I eliminate suffering and rather than being able to bounce back, I feel like I can bounce forward.
Wishing you the Best,
Angela Dina
Find me at http://www.angeladina.com/
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