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The Gift Of Mindfulness - Meditation In Today's World
- By Shane Cradock
- Published 07/9/2009
- Religion and the Paranormal
- Unrated
Shane Cradock
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'The best things in life are simple and free'
The continuous flow of thoughts, predominantly negative and anxious ones, create the restless mind.
We replay possible future and past events again and again in our minds. A lot of what occupies our 'mind space' is speculation, and is very often - if we're really honest with ourselves - quite pointless, repetitive and negative.
We have spent a lifetime creating the habit of literally 'winding' ourselves up.
An important first step to recovery of perspective is becoming aware of this habit and the effect it has on us i.e. the busyness of the mind and the inefficiency of this system.
With this, comes the realization that we can choose to replace the old habit with a new, more efficient path. We can interrupt the flow of thoughts, interrupt the habit of living in the past or the future, and can simply become aware of the present moment - becoming more mindful.
The more we use this path the more automatic it becomes, creating a new habit that has positive effects on our lives. As the renowned philosopher Aristotle once said, 'We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit'.
So what Is Mindfulness? In Mindfulness everything is held lightly as if on the open palm of your hand.
This allows room for expansion, development and creativity. Our usual mode of operating is to hold onto negative thoughts and fears with a tight fist, strangling all possibilities, or to try and suppress the thoughts by fighting against them - which only ends up giving them more power.
They say hindsight is a great thing. To be given the opportunity to be open to what becomes apparent through hindsight, in the present moment, is the
gift of Mindfulness.
It changes our perspective and thus changes everything. Mindfulness can be defined simply as present moment awareness without judgement.
It is a way of being that infiltrates every aspect of our lives. Mindfulness is flexible and portable and therefore can be used in almost any situation for our benefit and the benefit of others.
It provides respite from the exhausting habit of compulsive thinking, promotes clarity of mind, creates a connection with our inner wisdom, it builds up our inner resources for managing stress.
The practice of Mindfulness nourishes mind, body and spirit. It restores balance. Mindfulness is our greatest gift.
What Are The Benefits Of Mindfulness? Becoming more mindful has many benefits in your life. Here are some:
1. It improves decision-making as it helps us gain perspective and insight. What difference would it make in your life knowing your decisions are of a higher quality?
2. It enables us to choose our responses thus becoming free from previous 'conditioned re-actions'. So we become less reactive and more pro-active as people.
3. It improves our focus and concentration, which allows you to become more productive in your life -business and personal.
4. It connects us with our inner wisdom and clarity of mind, which enriches the quality of our relationships and our lives.
5. It allows us to connect with a sense of inner peace and contentment thus improving self-esteem.
6. It helps us find a sense of direction, which allows our path in life to flow with ease.
7. It helps us to deal more effectively with stress by increasing our awareness in a non-judgemental manner.
8. It improves our health and well being by bringing balance back into our lives.
9. It encourages creativity by creating space in the busy mind.
10. Last but not least, Mindfulness enhances our appreciation of life
The continuous flow of thoughts, predominantly negative and anxious ones, create the restless mind.
We replay possible future and past events again and again in our minds. A lot of what occupies our 'mind space' is speculation, and is very often - if we're really honest with ourselves - quite pointless, repetitive and negative.
We have spent a lifetime creating the habit of literally 'winding' ourselves up.
An important first step to recovery of perspective is becoming aware of this habit and the effect it has on us i.e. the busyness of the mind and the inefficiency of this system.
With this, comes the realization that we can choose to replace the old habit with a new, more efficient path. We can interrupt the flow of thoughts, interrupt the habit of living in the past or the future, and can simply become aware of the present moment - becoming more mindful.
The more we use this path the more automatic it becomes, creating a new habit that has positive effects on our lives. As the renowned philosopher Aristotle once said, 'We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit'.
So what Is Mindfulness? In Mindfulness everything is held lightly as if on the open palm of your hand.
This allows room for expansion, development and creativity. Our usual mode of operating is to hold onto negative thoughts and fears with a tight fist, strangling all possibilities, or to try and suppress the thoughts by fighting against them - which only ends up giving them more power.
They say hindsight is a great thing. To be given the opportunity to be open to what becomes apparent through hindsight, in the present moment, is the
It changes our perspective and thus changes everything. Mindfulness can be defined simply as present moment awareness without judgement.
It is a way of being that infiltrates every aspect of our lives. Mindfulness is flexible and portable and therefore can be used in almost any situation for our benefit and the benefit of others.
It provides respite from the exhausting habit of compulsive thinking, promotes clarity of mind, creates a connection with our inner wisdom, it builds up our inner resources for managing stress.
The practice of Mindfulness nourishes mind, body and spirit. It restores balance. Mindfulness is our greatest gift.
What Are The Benefits Of Mindfulness? Becoming more mindful has many benefits in your life. Here are some:
1. It improves decision-making as it helps us gain perspective and insight. What difference would it make in your life knowing your decisions are of a higher quality?
2. It enables us to choose our responses thus becoming free from previous 'conditioned re-actions'. So we become less reactive and more pro-active as people.
3. It improves our focus and concentration, which allows you to become more productive in your life -business and personal.
4. It connects us with our inner wisdom and clarity of mind, which enriches the quality of our relationships and our lives.
5. It allows us to connect with a sense of inner peace and contentment thus improving self-esteem.
6. It helps us find a sense of direction, which allows our path in life to flow with ease.
7. It helps us to deal more effectively with stress by increasing our awareness in a non-judgemental manner.
8. It improves our health and well being by bringing balance back into our lives.
9. It encourages creativity by creating space in the busy mind.
10. Last but not least, Mindfulness enhances our appreciation of life