 Welcome a Better Life: Mindfulness for Beginners
Do you remember a time when, after becoming aware of something, your mind just got stuck on that something? A flat flash moment, just before conceptualizing everything and developing reactions? That was Mindfulness. And it can go far beyond one second, to a lifetime.
This practice with roots in Buddhism is defined by Jon Kabat-Zinn in his book "Mindfulness for beginners" as paying attention on purpose, in the moment, the present moment, non-judgmentally, as if your life depended upon it. Applying "Right Here, Right Now" principle seems to be the greatest mindfulness challenge for beginners. Like anything new, mindfulness requires exercise in order to become a part of you. Next time you notice you disconnect from the present, just think about what Jon Kabat-Zinn teaches in "Mindfulness for beginners": pay attention to the present moment non-judgmentally as if your life depended on it. In many ways, this is not a simple assumption, because, through mindfulness, we get a fresh perspective on our experiences and on ourselves and we change our way of dealing with everything. In the long run, this will improve the quality of our life.
Here are some useful mindfulness tips for beginners:
- Create a favorable environment. The place where you practice mindfulness should be quiet to avoid distractions and also have a tint of sacred to help you get in the right mood for meditation.
- Start with short meditation sessions. One of the mindfulness for beginners traps is to think that you can change your ordinary life for one based on meditation just like that. To be successful, the transition must be smooth. Start with 2-3 meditation sessions of 15-20 minutes per day. In time, mindfulness will cease being an exercise and will become your way of living.
- Choose the right body posture. A basic guideline in mindfulness for beginners is the Buddhist principle according to which body and mind are connected. It seems that an erect posture is the most favorable to meditation. Either you sit on a chair or adopt the classic crossed feet yoga position, make sure you have an erect posture, a sense of stability and strength and that you actually feel your body.
- Concentrating on your breath is the first recommended step in mindfulness for beginners. Breath is easier to focus on as it comes from inside of us. While breathing naturally, try to become aware of your breath. Do not try to control it or modify it in anyway. Just go along with your breath. It will help you overcome the tendency of letting your mind slip away.
Only after having completed this mindfulness for beginners set of guidelines, you may go for more complex exercises.
In mindfulness, for beginners it is crucial not to expect anything else that they will get. Therefore, always keep in mind the following:
- Mindfulness is not a relaxation technique. Mindfulness, for beginners especially, can even prove the opposite, taking into account the focus that it requires.
- Mindfulness is not concentration, although it implies a great deal of it. But concentration may be tension generator, while mindfulness is tension liberator.
- Mindfulness won't change who you are or help you avoid life sorrows. It will only help you come to terms with yourself and deal with problems with more serenity and calm.
It is from the concept's simplicity itself that the challenges arise in mindfulness for beginners. While struggling to overcome them, always remember that you are heading to a better life.
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