The Basics of Mindfulness

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Mindfulness is generally associated with meditation, but it is much more than a type of meditation. Mindfulness means paying attention in the moment, focusing on NOW rather than worrying about past actions or what will happen in the future. A good way to start practicing mindfulness is through mindful meditation, but then continuing the practice in daily life. 

Meditation is a practice where you train your mind to focus and achieve a state of calm and relaxation.  It is an ancient technique believed to have started in India thousands of years ago. Today, meditation has spread around the world as people realize the benefits of the practice. See the resources page for books, videos and podcasts to learn more about meditation. 

Mindful meditation is a practice where we learn to pay attention to our minds and bodies. In paying attention to what our mind is telling us, or how our body is feeling, we become much more aware of the world around us and how we interact with it. 

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a program started by Jon Kabat-Zinn. It is based on research, and has spread in recent years to many people looking to live a healthier, stress-free life. To learn more about the MBSR and the book "Full Catastrophe  Living", which introduces the MBSR, check out the Resources page. 

Mindfulness is not just a type of meditation. It is a way of life. Once you start practicing mindfulness in meditation, you can easily start to practice in daily life. For example, eating mindfully, walking mindfully, paying attention to each moment of your life. Mindfulness helps us to pay attention to what is happening around us and inside of us, not only while we meditate. 

Embracing mindfulness in each moment can help in manifestation by training our mind to focus. Focusing on what we want while we are in the NOW, rather than worrying about the past or future, is how we manifest our dreams. Learn more on the Manifestation page, here.