The Basics of Mindfulness
Mindfulness has been popping up everywhere in mainstream psychology recently.
However, it has been used in meditative practice for years! Jon Kabat-Zinn is one of the people who brought mindfulness to a Western audience.
Mindfulness, according to Kabat-Zinn, involves paying attention on purpose.
You are non-judgmental of your thoughts. Instead of getting upset with yourself for certain thoughts, try observing them with kindness and no judgment. You can think of your thoughts like clouds that pass by, and you can observe these clouds.
Many people start their mindfulness practice by sitting down in a quiet space, closing their eyes, and counting their breaths.
Try giving your full attention to your breath. You may think, "What could be easier?" You'll quickly find that your mind races around. This may feel overwhelming, but it is completely normal and natural. The more you practice, the better you will get at focusing your attention. Many practitioners find that they are constantly learning in their mindfulness practice. Part of the practice is self-discovery. After a while, you may think that you've nailed it with your mindfulness practice. This is the perfect opportunity to practice once again, and gently observe your mind. There is always more that we can learn about ourselves!
