Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a mental state in which a person pays attention to their thoughts, feelings, emotions, and experiences in the present moment, without judgmentalism. When practicing mindfulness, one quietly and meditatively recognizes what is happening in their body, mind, heart, and spirit, takes note of it, but does not condemn, criticize, or poss judgment on these things. One merely accepts them as fact without placing a value judgment on them. Usually, as one meditates mindfully, one tries not to dwell on the past or the future, but on the present moment. As each thought or feeling arises, the mindful person acknowledges it with acceptance, rather than reacting to it. This leads to being able to be more calm, loving and accepting of others and ourselves.

For example, if you are trying to sit quietly and clear your mind of everything, but thoughts keep coming into your mind unbidden, simply acknowledge each though and let it drift away. Don't berate yourself for not being able to keep your mind clear. If the thought comes into your mind that you totally bombed the test you had to take yesterday, notice how that makes you feel. Do you feel tightness in your chest, or tension in your shoulders? Does your stomach feel like it has butterlies? Don't berate yourself for flunking the test. Realize that, if your body is reacting to this, it is still causing your some stress. Accept your feelings and release them. Simply let go of anything that does not feel good. Accept that what happened yesterday has no power over today, and no bearing on tomorrow. It is what it isk, and that's OK. Then the thought may come up that it DOES have some bearing on tomorrow, because you could flunk the course if you don't pass the tests. Accept your feelings as valid, and release them. Realize that you don't have to fix anything right now. Everything is OK just as it is. In this present moment, there is no test, no pressure, no one scolding you for not doing well, You are living in the past and the future when thinking about the test. Simply realixe that, in the NOW, none of that exists. No one is pressuring you but yourself. Let go of the pressure and accept yourself. You are OK the way you are, whether you pass the test or not. Continue to release each thought as it comes up, after accepting each one. Here in this quiet moment, there is only acceptance, love, and blissful peace. If you don't feel peaceful, acknowledge that as well. It's OK. Wherever you are is OK.