Practicing Mindfulness Everyday

Coming Home to Yourself.

“Mindfulness is the awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally to things as they are.”

That comes from the book “The Mindful Way through Depression”, and the definition is from the co-author Jon Kabat-Zin, a researcher and teacher of Mindfulness.

This way of paying attention takes practice. As we practice, so we start to create new mental habits.

If you have made the choice to be more mindful in your everyday life, then you will probably benefit from some sort of reminder. A reminder can be anything that happens regularly. For example, it could be an audible reminder like a chime on your phone. This can remind you to bring your awareness to your breathing, your body, and to the sensation of what your body is doing - sitting, standing or moving. If no-one is with you, and its safe to do so, you might close your eyes and bring your attention to your in and outbreath for three breaths. You can relax your face and body. If you’re with someone, you can still bring your attention to your breath and body, and also perhaps bring your attention more fully to the person in front of your.

Other ways of reminding yourself to bring your attention back to your breath and body could include sticking a piece of paper to your bedroom wall. On this page you can write the word “Breathe” or “Aware”, or some other word that reminds you to be mindful. This can be the first thing you see when you wakeup. You can have a similar word as a post-it on your computer screen. Or perhaps decide that every time you walk up a particular set of stairs you bring your awareness to your breath, body, and your surroundings. Make up reminders for yourself.

With practice, it gets easier and easier to choose to re-focus in a way that relaxes body and mind and brings awareness to the here and now.

“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.” Thich Nhat Hanh