Mindfulness is a great practice to learn. It is the act of paying attention on purpose with no judgment. I have been fascinated with this modality for years now and here are some concepts that have greatly increased my peace, creativity and understanding.
Pick one thing that resonates and put it to practice. Reading and knowing is not enough, doing does the trick. So let’s get to it.
1. Have a set time for meditation.
Don’t get intimidated by the concept of meditation. Just like most things, it is really simple once you do it. Start small and easy, pick a time let’s say every 8:00am; sit with the spine erect and just breathe for 5 minutes. Observing the breath as it enters and exits the body. Notice sounds, feel the sensations of the hands, mind will wander but your awareness will bring it back to the breath.
Start with 5 minutes and increase that time in increments, like a muscle, your brain will develop and learn.
Track your improvements in the coming days.
“What you measure and record grows exponentially”
– Dr. Benjamin Hardy
“Wherever you are, be there totally.” – Eckhart Tolle
2. Watch Your Inner Speech
Become more aware of the quality of your presence. Kill the ANT as they say (automatic negative self talk). Negative self talk has been the default for the most of us but it doesn’t have to stay that way. Our subconscious might have been programmed when we were younger but with mindfulness we can easily discern what is good and what is bad, chucking the bad in the F$&* it bucket.
Become a selective sifter, only choosing what’s good and blessed.
Guard your inner speech, your self talk is limited to only what it experienced and therefore protective of its correctness. Listen to the deeper part of you, the Self, the Dao, your inner wisdom. Inner wisdom don’t chatter, it comes in whispers of acceptance, love and compassion. With deliberate practice, you will have a better relationship with the mind and inner voice.
3. Switch “I got to, to I get to”
If we approach our obligations and responsibilities with gratitude rather than complaining. You will have avoided lots of secondary suffering. The mind tends to inflate and exaggerate what really is and this habit of the mind causes the task at hand to be harder. But with a slight shift in perception like “I’m thankful that I’m bestowed this task of such and such that will help me in my growth” instead of “Oh geez, why do I have to do such and such I’d rather do this and that”.
“Wrapped in our nearest duty is the key
Which shall unlock for us the Heavenly Gate:
Unveiled, the Heavenly Vision he shall see,
Who cometh not too early nor too late.”
– GOETHE
So muster up the courage to wash the dishes and clean your room with no war in the heart.
4. See With Fresh Eyes
We tend to get overstimulated with our phones leaving desensitized. Use the tools but don’t let it use you. Taking things for granted, running on autopilot and constantly craving for low quality dopamine will leave you imbalanced and internally yearning for something real. Disconnect, practice silence and observe how you will see things anew. Maybe discover and rekindle those parts of you that were dormant until now that you looked at them with fresh new eyes.
5. Connect With People
We have learned how human connection is vital to our wellbeing. It increases Oxytocin in the body which is responsible for the dial action of blood vessels and lowering blood pressure. Make a habit of juggling your loved ones, hi fiving co leagues and maybe smiling and talking to your barista.
We all are so deeply interconnected; we have no option but to love all. Be kind and do good for any one and that will be reflected. The ripples of the kind heart are the highest blessings of the Universe.
– Amit Ray
6. Don’t Jump To Conclusions
Your mind is a time traveler and a constant predictor. It predicts what is going to happen next, it is a super creative imaginator, it imagines and conjures up mental pictures that aren’t real. It is a great gift to have this capability but we must know how to use it. Rather than training the mind you train your reactions to the mind’s nature to predict scenarios. Make it a habit to pause and let the moment just be what it is. Jumping to conclusions blocks new pathways for you to grow. Remember, you conclude and assume only from your past programming. Let go of the past and make way for the new.
In the space of a mindful pause, crucial information might rise up that will direct us in a more balanced direction. So take into account new information, cultivate a supportive growth mindset.
7. Smile Throughout The Body
It requires more muscles for us to frown rather than smile but some of us are more used to. Smile relaxes the face, brings forth relaxation all over the body and raises up the vibe of yourself and others. Practice intentional smiling, make it your default mode of being.
A genuine smile distributes the cosmic current, Prana to every body cell.The happy man is less subject to disease, for happiness actually attracts into the body a greater supply of the Universal life energy.
– Paramahansa Yogananda
Hope these simple steps help you in creating a more mindful day. May you be open to new things, ready for happy surprises carrying a bright smile along the way.
Thanks for being here! Namaste. 🙏
Some links to look into ❤️❤️🔥🙏😊
Meditation with healing sound: Click here
Featured recipe: Chickpea Curry
Featured Song: Come Along With Me
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