Do you have a difficult time incorporating mindfulness into your life? Maybe you are rushing and don’t take time out to really enjoy the process. I know that I have times where all I want to see is the goal and my peripheral vision is blocked with blinders. As a result, I frequently failed to take in the logistics of completing a goal and not savor the work it took to accomplish that obstacle. I remember when I was younger, it seemed as if I steadfastly sped through college and then graduate school being stressed out. All I could think about was I’m ready to be done!
Utilize good books for mindfulness
Through my studies of mindfulness, I have learned to slow down in life and enjoy every moment. I have learned to enjoy the process. This, in turn, has also allowed me to have more gratitude in my life (See my post on gratitude). I have read some books by Thich Nhat Hanh and they have truly given me solid inspirations of living in the present. One of my favorite books is Peace is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life.
Another great book for mindfulness is called True Refuge. It is written by Tara Brach and it is fabulous. You can purchase it here. In True Refuge, she uses the word “presence” to try to capture the immediacy and aliveness of intrinsic awareness1. When you read about mindfulness, it allows you to be more receptive to the concept. Also, there are many tools to be learned from books that can be applicable to any situation in your life.
Yoga and Meditation for incorporating mindfulness
Yoga and meditation practice are great ways of incorporating mindfulness into your life! They allow you to slow down and really take in a deeper perspective in life. If you find that you have difficulty focusing and being mindful, then I would recommend mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness meditation is a type of meditation that involves paying attention to the present moment, deliberately and nonjudgmentally. It is a popular meditation practice in the West and has roots in the Buddhist tradition of Vipassana meditation. It will often be incorporated into yoga practices and teachings.
Yoga and meditation and excellent for teaching you to focus on the present. It is easier to get in this state of mind by saying to yourself that the past and future do not exist. I must say that when I first heard this phrase, it was very humbling and almost scary in a sense. However, it has been very useful to help me to hone in on the here and now! I try to think about these words daily as I’m going about my life. This has especially helped me when I hear about disasters!
Go for a walk and slow down to be more mindful
In conclusion, when finding that you are having a lot of stress remember to slow down. Take a break! Go on a walk, do some yoga or even meditate! Enjoy what is around you! Maybe it is some birds that are chirping or even the hum of a lawnmower. Maybe your kids are playing in the background and are loud! Just practice being mindful of your immediate surroundings and it may give you more peace then you will realize!
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Tara, B. (2013). True refuge: finding peace and freedom in your own awakened heart. New York, NY: Random House Publishing Group.
“What Is Mindfulness Meditation? – Definition from Yogapedia.” Yogapedia.com, www.yogapedia.com/definition/8153/mindfulness-meditation.
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Five benefits of having gratitude
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