Mindfulness meditation allows practitioners to achieve a calm and quiet mental state. While it is often linked to Buddhism, meditation isn’t limited to a particular faith or religion. Rather, it is a sequence of steps designed to facilitate deep breathing and reflection, and to make people more self aware. Indeed, this style of meditation concentrates on awareness, instead of clearing the mind of thoughts. This benefits people in several different areas of life.
There are lots of ways to meditate, and there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. To get started, a mindfulness coach will often instruct students to focus on their breathing patterns. When wayward thoughts inevitably come to mind, students are told to recognize those thoughts – then quietly resume the breathing exercises. It is important not to become upset or angry when meditating in this manner. During a meditation session, it is good for wayward thoughts to materialize, so they can be dealt with appropriately. This helps people to direct their minds to the here and now.
Mindfulness meditation uses a couple of postures: sitting in a chair and sitting on the ground. In the latter situation, many people use cushions so they can sit with their legs comfortably folded. This also allows them to keep their upper bodies upright. When seated on a chair, people should have their feet on the floor and be upright as well. It is best to avoid slouching, and adjustments to your posture can be made as needed during a session.
As alluded to above, Buddha – the creator of Buddhism – is believed to have promoted the practice of meditation in daily life. Stress reduction techniques related to mindfulness have therapeutic advantages that can combat several conditions and disorders. These techniques are becoming popular as therapeutic tools in western psychiatry and psychology. Together, the techniques taught by a mindfulness coach allow practitioners to stop rushing through life’s events. By the same token, they enable people to listen to their gut instincts and embrace the idea of self improvement.
People who practice mindfulness can savour life’s moments more effectively. Simple things like spending time with your children, enjoying a cup of coffee, or going for walks with friends can be done without any mental distractions. In addition, living in a mindful way enables you to deal with traumatic events with creativity and clarity, rather than reacting in the moment recklessly.
