Lots of people have been talking about mindfulness and it is a growing trend in cognitive-behavior therapy especially for depression and bipolar mood disorders. Mindfulness is an English translation from Eastern practices. I thought that I would intoduce it on my blog since I believe in its usefulness on many levels.
Wikipedia states, "Mindfulness is awareness of one's thoughts, actions or motivations. Mindfulness (Pali: Sati; Sanskrit:smṛti स्मृति ) plays a central role in the teaching of the Buddha where it is affirmed that 'correct' or 'right' mindfulness (Pali:sammā-sati; Sanskrit samyak-smṛti) is an essential factor in the path to enlightenment and liberation. It is the seventh element of the Noble Eightfold Path, the sadhana of which is held in the tradition to engender 'insight' and 'wisdom' (Sanskrit: prajñā)."
I also think of this in terms of Christian ideas, which I won't get into here. To me, Examples are practicing Gods presence, silent prayer, Quakers, being still before God. However, mindfulness differs in that you are not trying to hear God, but hear yourself. But, in order to really hear God, you have to hear yourself and be quiet. To me, mindfulness, is the step just before you hear or sense God's presence. Now, remember this is my opinion. I'm not looking for or up to a debate. Please go to another blog for that.
I saw this on Swirls in my head - Thoughts from a mental mind and liked the explanation. It is the best simple one I've seen in a long time.
I saw this on Swirls in my head - Thoughts from a mental mind and liked the explanation. It is the best simple one I've seen in a long time.
- Mindfulness is the English translation of the Pali word 'Sati.' Sati is an activity.
- Mindfulness is awareness of one's thoughts, actions or motivations.
- Mindfulness points one in the direction of being aware of the present moment.
- Mindfulness points to: Being aware of and paying attention to the moment in which we find ourselves.
- Mindfulness is a generalization about paying attention and being aware in the present moment , it occurs only in the individual.
- Mindfulness means you are not judging, reflecting or thinking.
- Mindfulness is mirror-thought. It reflects only what is presently happening and in exactly the way it is happening. There are no biases.
- Mindfulness is nonconceptual awareness. It is not thinking. It does not get involved with thought or concepts. It does not get hung up on ideas or opinions or memories. It just looks.
- Mindfulness registers experiences, but it does not compare them. It just observes everything as if they were occurring for the first time.
- Mindfulness is non-egoistic alertness. It takes place without reference to self.
- Mindfulness is awareness of change. It is observing the passing flow of experience. It is watching things as they are changing.
- Mindfulness, one watches the universe within.
- Mindfulness is participatory observation. The meditator is both participant and observer at one and the same time. If one watches one's emotions or physical sensations, one is feeling them at that very same moment.
- Mindfulness is not an intellectual awareness. It is just awareness.
3 comments:
I've definitely pulled on mindfullness exercises from the DBT standpoint. I have mixed feelings about DBT, but I think this particular part of it is helpful. Thanks for the reminder, I need to brush up on this.
As a Buddhist (Unitarian practicing Buddhism), I practice mindfullness as best I can. One shouldn't get too frustrated in the beginning. It is a learned art and will likely take time to master somewhat, but just a little result is well worth it.
@tempy. Yes, I like this part of it also.
@bradley. Thanks. Just to get the voices in the head quiet, you know what I mean...all that noise.
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