Mindfulness for Beginners: 5 Ways to Live a Meaningful Life
“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” — Oscar Wilde
I often feel like we are all just drifting by, day after day, into the oblivion of meaningless work and obligations. At such moments, it seems that life is just passing by and we are some sort of machines programmed to complete tasks one after another without ever stopping to ask why.
‘Work is worship’, a proverb antithetical to life, has taken all of us captive and trapped us in a never-ending cycle of mindless achievements. It has almost become a sacrilege to take time for reflection and rest. We are never entirely in the present moment fully enjoying ourselves.
Living life mindfully is the solution to this dilemma. Mindfulness is the key to a meaningful life. It is not what we do or how we do it that matters, it is who we are. Mindfulness is a powerful tool that can help us cultivate this awareness and lead a fulfilling life. Let us delve deeper into the idea of mindfulness and further discuss the ways to live a meaningful life through mindfulness techniques.
What is Mindfulness? What are its benefits?
A quick internet search will reveal hundreds of definitions of mindfulness by several individuals and organizations in various terms. My favorite definition is from mindful.org, which says, “Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.”
Mindfulness is not some bizarre religious ritual, it is innate in all of us. It just requires us to focus on the here and now instead of drifting far away into the past or future as we are often used to doing. Being mindful of our actions, feelings, emotions, thoughts, and surroundings brings us instantly into reality, the present moment. Being mindful also requires doing all of this without being judgmental.
Although it is essential to not focus on the gains of being mindful, it has a lot of scientifically-proven benefits that include
- Reduction in anxiety, stress, and depression
- Improvement in cognitive function
- Improvement in overall physical and mental health
- Slowing of brain aging
- Increase in productivity/efficiency
- Increase in attention span
- Improvement in chronic disorders
- Increase in empathy and compassion
Ways to Live a Meaningful Life with Mindfulness
There are several ways to be mindful and get in touch with your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Here are 5 simple ways you can practice mindfulness to live a life of fulfillment:
1. Live in the Present Moment and Connect with Nature
Living in the present moment is a primary part of mindfulness practice. We get more in touch with our thoughts, feelings, and actions when we focus our attention on being present where we are and in what we do.
While we focus on the here and now, we are more observant of the nature around us. It helps us remind that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. We are less likely to dwell on the past or worry about the future, which lets us focus fully on the present moment and experience the beauty of nature and our lives in its entirety.
2. Embrace Imperfection and Be Forgiving
Our will for perfection can act as a barrier to leading a meaningful life. It can cause stress, anxiety, and a fear of failure. Embracing imperfection in ourselves and others in a mindful way allows us to be kind and more real. There is a Zen saying that goes, “A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms.”
Similarly, forgiving means letting go of anger, resentment, and bitterness toward ourselves and others. It is a powerful way to heal and move on from past hurts. It is said by Lewis B. Smedes, “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”
3. Empty Yourself of False Beliefs and Prejudices
Just like this elephant tied to a rope couldn’t get away because of its belief, we are all stuck to our belief systems and prejudices toward others. It stops us from living a fulfilling life. Mindfulness requires us to look at ourselves and others around us non-judgmentally and without any prejudices.
Believing in things that are not real blurs our vision and prevents us from seeing clearly through things. Being mindful of our irrational beliefs and biases makes us question them and improves our ability of rational decision-making.
4. Cultivate Gratitude and Develop Compassion
We are so caught up in acquiring possessions and wealth that we fail to feel gratitude for what we have. It is often the small things in life that give us joy.
When we are grateful for our lives, it makes us take care of others compassionately. Empathy and compassion are two of the greatest qualities of being human. Practicing mindfulness can help us observe what is going around us and be more sensitive to other people’s sufferings.
An act of compassion can be as small as bringing a smile to a child’s face. Research shows that practicing gratitude can lead to greater well-being and improved relationships (Emmons & McCullough, 2003) while practicing compassion can improve mental as well as physical health (Seppälä et al., 2013).
As the Dalai Lama reminds us, “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”
5. Live with Purpose while Engaging in Genuine Relationships
We often fall into the trap of working like robots for a life we don’t even want. It is important to be mindful of what really matters to us and why we do what we do. As the author, Mark Twain said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Mindfulness helps us stay aware of our purpose and live intentionally.
Living with purpose also entails with whom we build relationships. Building genuine relationships is an important part of a fulfilling life. Being around people we love and who love us helps us feel connected, valued, and understood. Mindfulness can help us build meaningful relationships by allowing us to be fully present with others, listen deeply, and communicate authentically.
Final Thoughts
Living mindfully is so powerful and yet so simple. It might take time for you to develop the habit of being mindful in your day-to-day activities. You can start by practicing at least one of the mindfulness techniques we discussed here. As you practice more, you will get better at it and feel the benefits of mindful living in a few weeks.
References
- Definition of mindfulness: “What Is Mindfulness?” https://www.mindful.org/what-is-mindfulness/
- Benefits of mindfulness: Goyal, Madhav, et al. “Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” JAMA Internal Medicine, vol. 174, no. 3, 2014, pp. 357–368.
End Note
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