What is Mindfulness Meditation?

You have probably heard the word mindful before, but what is mindfulness meditation?

Mindfulness is said to be a kind of meditation that basically involves keeping the mind on what’s going on now; the present. It involves paying attention ‘on purpose’. Being mindful is being alert and aware of the actions and thoughts you presently have without criticizing yourself. Mindfulness meditation involves a conscious direction of your awareness.

Mindfulness Meditation is about being fully present

If you want to be present and mindful, you have to be deliberately aware. Just realizing that you are doing something is not doing it mindfully. Mindfulness meditation is when we are decisively cognizant of what we are doing, and when we are being aware intentionally of the process it takes to do what we are doing. Mindfulness meditation is when we’re consciously noticing our feelings and our responses to those same feelings.

This also applies to the moments we notice our mind wandering. When it wanders we purposefully bring our attention back. This thoughtfulness is a significant portion of mindfulness meditation.

How do we learn to focus on the present through Mindfulness Meditation?

To practice mindful meditation, it’s important to find a quiet and comfortable place. It is better if the area, where you do your mindfulness meditatation, is calm and uplifting. It should not be too noisy. Practice good posture by sitting in a relaxed, but aligned way. Your back must be straight and your head and neck aligned. While you sit, try to put aside all thoughts of the past and the future, and stay in the present. Make sure you are aware of how you breathe, by paying attention to how the air enters and escapes your body. Feel your stomach inflate and deflate as you inhale through your nostrils, and exhale out of your mouth. Focus on the different changes of each breath.

Learn to pay attention to your thoughts and observe every one of them coming and going, whether they be ones of fear, hope, anxiety, or even worry. When any kind of thoughts come to mind, don’t disregard or repress them, just make a note of them, stay calm and breathe. And should you allow your thoughts to carry you away, view where your thoughts took your mind to, and without judgment, just go back to breathing. Bear in mind don’t be so tough on yourself because this will happen. As your mindfulness meditation is coming to an end, continue to stay still for a short while so you can realize where you are.

What are the benefits of Mindfulness Meditation?

As you practe mindfulness meditation, you will learn to achieve a mind that is stable and calm and begin to discover that this calmness is a natural aspect of the mind. Through the practice of mindfulness meditation you are developing and strengthening your mind. In time, you will quickly be able to quiet your mind and find peace, without any struggle, because your mind will naturally ”be content”.

Mindfulness meditation has many healths benefits and research has shown that mindful meditation can boost immune function, and decrease stress. It can also improve your sleep, memory, and mood. You will also be more compassionate as you practice mindfulness meditation.