We hear and read about it in all the spiritual magazines. They say, “You gotta-be-mindful!” Mindful this and mindful that…! I’ve even noticed coaches, inspirational speakers talking about mindfulness. Even teachers are teaching mindfulness in the school district in my area. What is this mindfulness thing? What’s the difference between mindfulness, meditation and prayer?
What is Mindfulness?
According to an article called, “An Introduction to Mindfulness through Yoga, Tai Chi, and Meditation” by Andi Martin (2018), the purpose of mindfulness is to ” keep one’s consciousness focused on the present-moment reality. Mindfulness is awareness of the present moment as it is; accepting what’s is happening, because it is happening.”
How Not to Be Mindful
Mindfulness is practicing and experiencing awareness. So many times, in our busy days we can’t remember what we’ve done because we were not mindful of what we were doing. For example, I left a lunch meeting later than expected which made me late picking up my kids from school. It was 2:50pm and the kids got out at 2:55pm and I needed at least 20 minutes to get there on time and traffic starts at 2pm in the area I was about to drive through. When I finally got in the car and driving down the street then onto the highway I worried that my kids would wonder why Mommy is late. I’m never late picking up my kids from school. The entire drive I worried and even drove a little faster than I normally do. I even called the school to let them know I would be late. If parents arrive fifteen minutes after the bell they automatically send kids to the school office to call their parents. I arrived at the school and my kids were smiling and waiting with all the other kids as I pulled through the car rider line. Luckily, dismissal took longer on this day so they were still outside. Later, I realized I didn’t remember the drive from my lunch meeting to the school because I was not mindful. I was driving on autopilot and worried about nothing. If I were mindful I would have noticed how beautiful the day was or the new construction and new businesses being built on my route. All I could see were the stories in my head that were not true. My kids were just fine.
Mindfulness, Meditation and Prayer
What’s the difference between mindfulness, meditation and prayer? Meditation and mindfulness have the same goal — inner peace and harmony.They are all tools used to bring our energy to a peaceful space. Mindfulness is an experience we can actively practice every day by using each experience to be aware without judgement and allowing experiences to unfold. Meditation can be practiced at the beginning or end of the day when we can solely focus on breathing and calming the thoughts in our mind and allowing the presence of peace grow within us. Prayer is when we receive and acknowledge how grateful we are for life; praising what we have. Again, meditation, mindfulness and prayer are tools/options to help us reach and get into alignment with who we are, and come into our own flow or way of life. Each of us don’t experience spirituality in the same way; we have infinite options.
Why mindfulness?
We live in a world where everyone wants attention. Everyone wants to be heard and seen. Sometimes this is expressed as joy or selfishness, corruption, greed, jealousy, war…. We are constantly reminded about who is saying what on our smart phones, social media, and TV. It’s so convenient to see and watch what’s happening on the news, and on reality shows. For many of us this gets old and we simply need to shut off all the noise and find peace in each of the everyday things we do. Mindfulness helps us get into a peaceful flow of life and focus on what we have in each moment.
3 Way’s to Practice Mindfulness?
At first practicing being mindful might feel odd or unnatural and even get tiring. I always encourage people to start off with something simple and with practice it can be incorporated into almost everything we do.
- Make sure the TV and all electronic devices are turned off while you sit and eat all your food. While eating a small meal focus on what you are chewing. Notice how the food tastes and recognize if you are chewing your food completely? If you are with your family while eating listen to what they are saying without judgement.
- Leave any headphones at home and turn the cell phone off and leave it in your pocket. Go for a walk. While walking notice the sidewalk, trees, sky small animals in the trees. Say hello while passing others. Breathe and feel your feet touch the ground with each step. Feel the wind and sun on your face.
- When with your child stop all that you are doing and look at them in the eyes while they talk, giving them your full attention.
- Monitor how you feel in each situation.
Let me know how it goes… email me at alluraeshmun@yahoo.com. You can also post a comment and read more stories on AlluraEshmun.com
References
Martin, A. C. (2018). An introduction to mindfulness through yoga, tai chi, and meditation. International Journal of Health, Wellness & Society, 8(3), 11-20. doi:10.18848/2156-8960/CGP/v08i03/11-20