Mindfulness- The way of life

“The most fundamental aggression to ourselves, the most fundamental harm we can do to ourselves, is to remain ignorant by not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly and gently.” ― Pema Chödrön , When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times

Over-information, nerve-wrecking lifestyles & our constant struggle to meet our deadlines-these are some common issues that each & every one of us face on a daily basis-it’s overwhelming & makes us feel burned out-no wonder we feel so stressed.​

What can we do?

We cannot just run away from our worlds or become a hermit living on a high mountain away from everything. (What if we find that stressful too?) Instead, we need a new way of life where we can feel at ease with ourselves & our surroundings - no matter what. The generation-old art of Mindfulness can help us.

What is Mindfulness?

When questioned by the Yaksha, in the episode of Yaksha Prashna in the Mahabharata (1), the Pandava Prince Yudhishthira revealed one of the qualities of the mind: ​ Yaksha asked: What is faster than the wind? ​ Yudhishthira answered: Mind is faster than wind. ​ The mind is one of the fastest things known to us. It wanders between the future & past thoughts all the time. It is seldom focused on the present moment & the present reality. However, we know that the only “Real moment” is the Present moment. This is where it becomes problematic for us-we get lost in this swinging of mind that makes us feel tired & worn out. ​ Mindfulness is training the mind to ground itself in the present moment. ​ According to the American Psychological Association (APA.org, 2012), mindfulness is: ​ “…a moment-to-moment awareness of one’s experience without judgment. In this sense, mindfulness is a state and not a trait. While it might be promoted by certain practices or activities, such as meditation, it is not equivalent to or synonymous with them.” ​ In simple words, being attentive in the present moment & aware of the thoughts, emotions & sensations present-pleasant or unpleasant-without criticising or judging is termed as Mindfulness.

How mindfulness can help?

“Life is a dance. Mindfulness is witnessing that dance.”​ - Amit Ray, Mindfulness Living in the Moment - Living in the Breath

Rewires

Firstly, Mindfulness re-wires our response cycle. When experiencing a thought or feeling, we become attentive & in-control of conscious response rather than a compulsive one. In scientific terms, it increases neuroplasticity or the brain’s ability to grow & change.

Perspective Change

It helps us to see what is “Us” & what is “Not us”. For e.g.-It reminds us that we are not our thoughts or feelings & creates a distance between the mind which helps us see things clearly.

Physical Awareness

When one starts to “See” sensations in his/her body, he can learn that any form of pain is something experienced in the body. Hence there is no need to get worried about it because it’s not “us”.

Improves Relationships

When was the last time you felt completely in the present moment or your partner completely attentive to you in a conversation? Rarely? Yes. This simple experience of being present has become so rare that we cherish every moment when we feel completely present. We also value the person & are able to make healthy decisions.

Freedom

Pleasant & Unpleasant things keep happening all time. However, there is a fundamental law of Change working here-that it is all temporary in nature & it changes. Mindfulness teaches us the patience to just watch these experiences without straining ourselves by getting lost in them.

How to practice?

Find your way

There are a number of ways to practice this art-some practice it through connecting with their breath, others practise mindful activities or art. Explore & find whatever works for you best.

Stick to the practice

As it is said, 80% of the success is showing up. Come back to the practice as soon as you realise you are off track. Consistency is the key.

Make Connections

Find people who are related to this field, talk to them about your experience, clear your doubts or misconceptions from time to time.

Explore

Read books on the topic, follow the experts through conferences or workshops. Some of my personal favourite’s resources include The Power of Now (2) by Eckhart Tolle & mobile applications like Headspace (3) by Andy Puddicombe.

Patience

You may not like what you notice initially but it is all about being present with the experience-non-judgementally & gently as the process unfolds.

The Journey Ahead

“The mind is just like a muscle - the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets and the more it can expand.”

― Idowu Koyenikan, Wealth for All: Living a Life of Success at the Edge of Your Ability

The art of learning & practicing Mindfulness is not an overnight process. It is a skill that improves with more practice. At the same time, it doesn’t require a lifetime to master.

Every time one gets distracted or lost in thought or emotion, it is an opportunity to practice this skill.

All that is required is patience & persistence to get better. I can promise you that learning this Art is worth it & it can strengthen you with it’s life changing abilities.

Whether you want to live Mind-full or Mindful?

You Decide.

Reference

1. Yaksha-Yudhishthira Conversation/Episodes in Mahabharata

2. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment is a book by Eckhart Tolle. The book is intended to be a guide for day-to-day living and stresses the importance of living in the present moment and transcending thoughts of the past or future.

3. Headspace is an English-American online healthcare company, specializing in meditation. It was incorporated in May 2010 in London, England, by Andy Puddicombe and Richard Pierson.