The concept of Mindfulness has become a term of pop culture. The idea of mindfulness is enticing because it entails being in a state of calmness and awareness while the chaos of the world falls before your eyes. Being in a full state of saying ‘I accept’ to whatever is happening in one’s life, where you can be open and receive the activities of the present moment with the grace of a ballerina.
To truly practice mindfulness, you simply need to notice, watch and let go. When you do that, ease and grace and happiness bubble up without you having to do anything or force it. However simple this idea is: the practice of mindfulness is easier said than done though.
The following tips are helpful in practicing mindfulness:
Starting Over Again:
Simply start again in the next moment. When you start again, you let go of judgement, punishment and any thoughts about the last moment and simply start noticing what is happening in NOW: in this present moment. You release the past and future and simply smile at the sound of the birds, notice the stream of consciousness about what a great weekend it was running through your mind and enjoy the smell of the coffee brewing.
The interesting aspect about letting go is that we believe we are missing out on something, because we have been conditioned to think linearly, backwards and forwards in time and space. Once you start to be the ‘observer’ and do it gently, you notice that life is not linear, it’s vertical, it’s spacious, expansive, fluid, multi-directional and multidimensional.
A sense of freedom from past conditioning occurs where you can unshackle yourself from old beliefs, habits, thought patterns and destructive behaviors. You may not change anything, but you now have the choice to change and that makes the biggest difference. Be aware of everything, especially your thoughts, feelings and body. Let go of judgment. Feel emotions as they move through you, just noticing, accepting, not judging or resisting.
Mindfulness is not about living an austere life devoid of emotions and any fun. It is about giving yourself mental space to make well informed choices and observations about yourself so you can live lighter, honestly, more authentically, and freely.
Source: Josh Langley
A.C.T. will provide free resource information for individuals and families to help promote education. For more information, please contact Dr. Drecun at Dr.Drecun@a4ct.com or (858) 792-3541. You may also visit us online at www.a4ct.com. ACT serves the Del Mar 92014 and Rancho Santa Fe 92067 area.
