Mindfulness. It is a simple word. It suggests that the mind is fully attentive to what is happening, to what you are doing at that precise moment, to the space through which you are moving. That may seem trivial, except for the annoying fact that we divert our attention.
Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we are doing, and not be overly reactive or overwhelmed by what is going on around us.
How to practice Mindfulness
While mindfulness may seem simple, it is not necessarily that easy. The real challenge is making time every day to keep doing it.
Take a sit. Find a place to sit that feels calm and quiet for you.
Set a time limit. If you’re just starting out, it can help to choose a short time frame, like 5 or 10 minutes.
Look at your body. You can sit on a chair with your feet on the ground, you can sit cross-legged, in the lotus pose, you can kneel. Just make sure you’re stable and in a position where it can stay for a while.
Feel your breath. Follow the feel of your breath as it comes in and out.
Notice when your mind has wandered. Inevitably, your attention will leave the sensations of the breath and drift elsewhere. When you realize this, in a few seconds, a minute, five minutes, simply refocus your attention on the breath.
Be kind to your mind. Do not judge yourself or become obsessed with the content of the thoughts in which you find yourself lost. Just come back.
That is all! When we practice mindfulness, we reduce stress and improve our performance. Practice it daily and you will notice the difference.
