Posted by Helen on Feb 15, 2011 in Personal Development & Communication
What is Mindfulness?
While the word may be unfamiliar, mindfulness and its counterpart mindlessness occur on a daily basis for us all. Mindlessness describes moments when we are autopilot, such as driving home and not recalling any details of the drive. While these moments appear harmless (but have the potential of catastrophe), they rob us of the opportunity to fully engage in life and all it offers.
While the word may be unfamiliar, mindfulness and its counterpart mindlessness occur on a daily basis for us all. Mindlessness describes moments when we are autopilot, such as driving home and not recalling any details of the drive. While these moments appear harmless (but have the potential of catastrophe), they rob us of the opportunity to fully engage in life and all it offers.
Mind-LESS-ness and Stress
When we approach stress without awareness, it controls how we see the world and ourselves. We lose our ability to create a way out of the stress. Pain, depression and anxiety begin to define our day-to-day experience.
When we approach stress without awareness, it controls how we see the world and ourselves. We lose our ability to create a way out of the stress. Pain, depression and anxiety begin to define our day-to-day experience.
Mind-FUL-ness and Stress
Mindfulness speaks to experiencing an expanded awareness of the present moment. This awareness not only increases our ability to cope with pain and suffering, but also deepens relaxation, elevates energy and awakens creativity.
Mindfulness speaks to experiencing an expanded awareness of the present moment. This awareness not only increases our ability to cope with pain and suffering, but also deepens relaxation, elevates energy and awakens creativity.
Mindfulness and Meditation
Meditation is a formal practice to cultivate mindfulness. While simple in theory, mindfulness can be challenging to bring into our daily life. Meditation creates a period of focused practice, carved out of the usual clutter and chaos of your day. With consistent practice, meditation nurtures an increased ability to focus attention, an enhanced capacity to practice mindfulness “off the cushion” and seamlessness between formal and informal practices.
Meditation is a formal practice to cultivate mindfulness. While simple in theory, mindfulness can be challenging to bring into our daily life. Meditation creates a period of focused practice, carved out of the usual clutter and chaos of your day. With consistent practice, meditation nurtures an increased ability to focus attention, an enhanced capacity to practice mindfulness “off the cushion” and seamlessness between formal and informal practices.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) approach teaches stress reduction through interactive classes. Through the insight practices of meditation and yoga, participants uncover their current reactions to stress that keep them trapped in pain, depression and anxiety. Within an environment of patience, acceptance and curiosity, participants explore new approaches to daily adversities. Such exploration opens the door to a life of increased freedom from ingrained reactions. In short, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction offers a new way to live.
The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) approach teaches stress reduction through interactive classes. Through the insight practices of meditation and yoga, participants uncover their current reactions to stress that keep them trapped in pain, depression and anxiety. Within an environment of patience, acceptance and curiosity, participants explore new approaches to daily adversities. Such exploration opens the door to a life of increased freedom from ingrained reactions. In short, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction offers a new way to live.
Benefits of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
- Increased ability to manage stress
- An increased ability to relax, even in stressful times
- Sustained decreased in physical, mental and emotional symptoms
- Reduced pain levels and an enhanced ability to enjoy life even with residual pain
Who can benefit from MBSR?
Persons experiencing chronic health issues and those who do not have a specific health-related diagnosis, but feel life has become overwhelming or unmanageable.