Mindful Moment – Purposely mindful
“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; On purpose,
in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.”Jon Kabat-Zinn
Mindfulness has become a popular practice and is often referred to as a ‘cure’ to many things or ‘secret’ to success; but what is mindfulness? Mindfulness is an ancient Buddhist practice that is more than just being aware of the present moment, it is not avoiding the present moment by agonising over the past or worrying about the future. It is simply observing the mind without judgment. You may be aware that you are sitting right now. You may be aware that you are reading this right now. However you may also be drinking a coffee, having different thoughts. You may even be thinking that this is either a load of rubbish or wonderful. Either way if you are thinking and placing a judgment on what you are doing, you are no longer practicing mindfulness. To be purposefully mindful you become an observer of your mind. You do not pass judgment or dance away with your thoughts. You simply experience this moment. Observe if your mind begins to wander to another thought or get caught up with a feeling. You may notice that you begin to feel uncomfortable, but try not to react. Try to sit with any feeling. Do not judge it. Just sit with it. Notice it come and watch it pass by. Be purposely mindful.
