This week we will be uncovering a few topics related to mindfulness meditation. Some of the questions I will be answering include, how soon people are expected to experience the results of meditation? Whether or not it takes a certain mindset to meditate? What are the different practices of mindfulness meditation?
Mindfulness is more than just a practice; it’s a way of being. It’s about being fully present and aware of your thoughts, feelings (which are body sensations), and emotions without passing judgment on any of them. Think of it as being in tune with your day-to-day experiences rather than being on autopilot or letting your mind drift mindlessly. Daily routines like brushing your teeth, taking a shower, or eating become so normal to us that it’s almost a thoughtless task. But what if, instead of being on autopilot, we engaged all five of our senses (smell, touch, sight, taste, and hearing). It might seem a little odd, but hear me out. There’s an exercise in mindful eating that explores these 5 senses. I’ll link the mindful eating video below.
Essentially, mindful eating is about savoring each moment, giving full attention to the act of eating, and being aware of hunger and fullness cues. By practicing mindful eating, we cultivate a deeper appreciation for food and we can even foster healthier eating habits. If you decide to try mindful eating, notice how each sensation brings out different feelings or thoughts. If no feelings or thoughts arise that’s ok too. Just notice that. It can be something as simple as noticing the texture or particular taste of a food you never noticed before. Ok so that’s mindfulness in short.
Now what is mindfulness meditation?
Imagine you have a busy day, lots of thoughts bouncing around like a pinball machine. Mindfulness meditation is like pressing the pause button on that pinball machine. It’s about taking a moment to sit quietly and focus your attention on something simple, like your breath or the sensations in your body. When you do this, you’re training your mind to be present. You might notice your thoughts drifting away, but that’s okay. The idea is to gently bring your attention back to the present moment without judging yourself. Mindfulness meditation is basically a way to give your mind a little break from all the noise and chaos, helping you feel calmer, more focused, and more connected to the present moment.
It’s a technique that nurtures mindfulness through focused attention. Being in the present moment means embracing everything that is happening within us and around us. Pretty much the same qualities as mindfulness itself except when we add the element of meditation, we are simply not judging any thoughts, feelings, or emotions that come up.
The importance of being present lies in appreciating the now, avoiding dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. We exist in this moment. We’re not defined by our past selves, nor can we predict our future selves. The present offers the opportunity to enhance ourselves and pursue our future goals. The more we practice mindfulness and mindfulness meditation the more we can learn to appreciate our environment, the people around us, and even have more compassion for ourselves because we start to become more self-aware.
Very often, people misunderstand meditation as clearing the mind and doing nothing. However, meditation isn’t about doing nothing or emptying the mind, as that implies not thinking at all. There’s no purpose in doing nothing or trying not to think at all. We are doing something and what we are trying to do is learning to redirect our attention to the breath whenever distractions or judgment arise. Given that meditation is not about trying to clear our thoughts or do nothing, how soon can people who consistently practice meditation see results?
The timeline of seeing results varies from person to person. There are many factors that can influence the progression and results of an individual’s practice such as their commitment, specific type of meditation that is being practiced, and what their goals are for meditation. Some people may notice benefits within a few weeks of consistent practice, while others may take longer. Some of the other common benefits of meditation include emotional regulation, reduced stress, increased self-awareness, better sleep, and so much more. It is important to approach meditation with realistic expectations and understand that it’s a gradual process that unfolds over time. In my Get to Know You Podcast, Episode 3: How to Stay Consistent with Your Meditation Practice, I discuss some of the common challenges that some people face when trying to stay consistent with their practice and how to address those challenges. I will link my podcast information down below.
Is meditation something anyone of any background can do? Do I need to be religious to practice meditation?
Anyone can meditate. While mindset such as openness, curiosity, and patience enhance the meditation journey, there are no prerequisites. There are many practices and techniques for meditation and it’s all about finding one that fits within your personal needs and preferences. With time and regular practice, anyone can achieve mindfulness and experience the benefits that come along with it.
Some of the different practices of mindfulness meditation include breath awareness, body scan, walking meditation, loving kindness meditation, observing thoughts and emotions, and sound meditation. I will go over these practices in greater detail in a future podcast, but these practices can be combined or practiced individually depending on your personal preferences and goals.
Remember there is always opportunity to learn and grow, keep your mind and heart open to new experiences. There is no right or wrong way to meditate! As always, I thank you for reading this week’s article about what mindfulness meditation is. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them down below.
Raisin Meditation — Dave Potter (youtube.com)
My email: minyichencoaching@gmail.com
