Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness meditation is the practice of maintaining a moment-to-moment awareness of the body, mind and surrounding environment.

What is Mindfulness Meditation?

Mindfulness meditation means maintaining a moment-to-moment awareness of the sensations and movements of the body, the thoughts, feelings and emotions in the mind and the surrounding environment. Mindfulness also involves exercising the mind’s capacity to rest in a state of nonjudgmental awareness as we watch our thoughts and emotions. When we practice mindfulness meditation we are able to live in the present moment, in the here and now, as we are not caught in the stress and worries associated with anxiety about the future and regrets and habitual responses associated with the past. The present moment is the only moment when we are truly alive and have the possibility to find peace and physical, mental and spiritual clarity and wellbeing.

How to Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness meditation is made up of two basic elements: calming the body and mind and looking deeply into sensations, feelings, thoughts and habit energies. Mindfulness meditation can be practiced in both stillness and action and in as little as 30 seconds. To begin right now find a comfortable sitting position, close your eyes, relax your body and bring your full attention to your in breath and out breath. When your mind starts to wander gently bring your attention back to your breath. While staying present for your breath begin to do a body scan from the head to the feet gradually relaxing each part of the body. For example, as you breathe in become aware of your head and as you breathe out relax your head. You can also use the practice of labeling your emotions or thoughts when they arise. For example, recognize when emotions like fear, anger, joy and peace are present and label them or when “thinking” is present in the mind. Labeling them will bring ease and freedom to the body and mind. No matter what task we are performing in daily life such as walking, eating, speaking, administering treatments to patients, etc... we can do them with the energy of mindfulness by being fully present in the body and mind and following the breath.