Mindfulness and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction can be such a gift! It is always enjoyable for me to listen to podcasts about mindfulness, learn about the latest connection between mindfulness and neuroscience, listen to stories about the lives that have been changed because these folks have embraced mindfulness in their lives, read books and articles about the history of mindfulness as well as current scientific studies.
The thing about mindfulness is that none of the above will help you realize the results or rewards you are looking for.
We actually have to practice.
We have to do the work.
It is not enough to think about what it would be like to follow your breath, but instead - to actually feel into the breath, noticing the texture, the warmth or coolness of the breath.
It is not that we might think about how our bodies might relax or what they may feel like when we try to meditate, but instead we sit and feel into the body. What does it actually feel like in my body right now? What sensations, feelings or emotions am I experiencing right now? In this moment. What thoughts arise?
From a recent interview with Joan Borysenko:
…I do think that some kind of contemplative practice is really important because our minds are chattering, they’re going on all the time. And the first step toward managing your mind is always awareness. You’ve got to notice. What we know from a neurological point of view is some of the details that point to why did these ancient practices like meditation or yoga or quiqong make a difference to the mind. And, for example, you find yourself trapped by an emotion. The emotion could be fear, it could be anger, it could be a paranoid feeling. It could be a deep sadness, whatever it is, sometimes we can’t even name our own emotion. So the first step is to think to myself, okay, I’m really feeling something distressing, what is it?
It’s amazing how some people can’t just notice anxiety, they’ll notice… I’m in a flurry to do this or to do that or I’m losing my concentration. That’s anxiety. And, if you name it (It turns out this is an amazing finding)if you name it, it turns out that the anxiety will decrease, if you name it the paranoia will decrease. Whatever it is , there is something about that - that comes down the limbic system of the brain, where these kinds of feelings are coming from. So that is awareness; name it to tame it.
— Interview with Joan Borysenko and Master Mingtong Gu and Nathan Crane
Meditation Practice 10/16
Stay Safe and Be Well,