Mindfulness isn't a Fad

Hey, everyone! I know it's been awhile, but I'm excited to be back! I've spent the last year researching mindfulness, meditation, psychology (brains, behaviors, thoughts, emotions - the whole shabang), adult romantic relationships, and a bunch of other stuff! Believe it or not, I actually wrote a book about mindfulness. It's called Mindfulness and Me: A Practical Guide for Living. It's in publication now, but no release date yet - stay tuned for details! I know when people hear mindfulness there's usually one of two mental images - soccer moms doing yoga or Buddhist monks in orange robes sitting silently for hours. Speaking as a yoga/meditation teacher, mental health therapist, and psychologist, believe me when I tell you that mindfulness isn't just a fad. Let's take a closer look at why mindfulness is becoming so popular. 

The Concept

    Mindfulness is actually one translation of an ancient Indian word that is also sometimes translated as 'being in remembrance'. Obviously 'mindfulness' is more concise, but honestly, if you think of mindfulness as remembering, you might be less likely to fall into the trap of believing the pop culture misunderstandings of mindfulness. Mindfulness is simply remembering that you have a body. Remembering that you are breathing. Remembering that emotions are distorting your thoughts and perceptions. Remembering that you are stressed about money instead of getting caught up in anger. Remembering that you have a choice whether or not to eat that donut or honk aggressively at another driver. Mindfulness is remembering in the moment that you have the power to make choices. When you start to practice mindfulness, you'll probably be shocked at how much of your life you live on autopilot. It's kind of creepy - like a zombie walking around half asleep. Wake up! Mindfulness is remembering that you exist so that you can be an active participant in your own life.

    Mindfulness is different from meditation. Meditation is a set of specific practices for peace, kindness, focus, and self-discipline. Usually, meditative practices are most effective in still, quiet places. Meditation can be practiced sitting, standing, walking, or laying down; but it's intentional time set aside to cultivate kindness, stillness, and inner connection. Essentially, meditation is an intentional practice to reset and refocus your body, mind, and soul so that you are able to live life more consciously and deliberately. 

Why It Matters

    Life is painful. It's hard, overwhelming, stressful, complicated, and sometimes just downright discouraging. People are more stressed out than ever. Maybe it's because we have access to information about the suffering all over the world. Maybe it's because we just suffered through 2 years of an isolating global pandemic. Maybe it's because most of us don't have a community anymore but we think we do because we all have cell phones. Either way, we are suffering individually and socially. Mindful meditation was literally developed as a way to relieve suffering. Imagine being able to move through your day in peaceful calm with kindness for yourself and others. Sounds pretty good, huh? What if I told you that life is actually simple and we are all living under a shared delusion that it's complicated? Our brains buzz with so much white noise creating a sense of chaos and pressure. We rush from thing to thing feeling this sense of urgency to do and solve and figure out. Take a pause.

    When you sit in meditation then you let the chaos settle. All the buzzing stops. When you sit with mindful breathing, nonjudgment, and kindness for yourself then you give yourself the opportunity to be available for insights about what's really important to you. You don't have to pressure yourself. Stress is pressure. Seriously. The words mean the same thing. If you're feeling stressed it's because your pressuring yourself in some way (for a refresher on stress, check out the Stress 101 post). Meditation is a structured practice for creating a more peaceful brain and creating insight and clarity. Mindfulness extends your meditation practice into daily life so you can live life without feeling defensive, overwhelmed, on edge, or fragile. Sure, you'll still feel these things sometimes. But over time it's less intense and less often, and even when it does happen you'll see through the disguise. You are made for bigger things than stress.

Action Item: Cozy Corner

Honestly, the best way to understand the effects of mindful meditation is just to practice it and see what happens! Find yourself a quiet, safe, comfortable place. Sit, stand, or lay down. Be curious and take your time. Ask yourself, "what can I do to help myself be just 5% more comfortable?" Then do that thing. Putting in the time and effort to help yourself be comfortable is a practice of self love. Once you've helped your body to become totally comfortable, try the following:

1. close your eyes

2. breathe in through your nose as deep as you can - fill yourself all the way up

3. breathe out all the way so you empty all the air out

4. Continue to breathe in this way and notice how your belly feels, how your ribs feel, how your chest feels

5. After 5-10 rounds go back to breathing normally and notice any changes in your mind and body

Questions to Consider

• When I think of mindfulness, do I feel attraction (yes, please) or aversion (no, thank you)?
• Why? 
• Am I open to changing my view of mindfulness?
• What personal beliefs or values are tied to my view of mindfulness?
• What do I want to learn or practice to feel more comfortable with mindful meditation?
• What am I hoping to achieve with a mindful meditation practice?