Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a Buddhist-based concept and practice that is increasingly being incorporated into Western psychological and psychiatric practices.
Mindfulness is being happy, with present-moment awareness of what is happening inside and outside you, relaxing into the moment to find joy, with a non-judgmental, accepting, and compassionate attitude. It is present-moment awareness of your thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and your outer environment. It focuses on having your mind present in whatever you are doing.
Awareness of one’s breath is usually the first step toward mindfulness because it brings your mind to the present moment. Note that we can only live in the present moment. The opposite of mindfulness is mindlessness. For most people, most of the time, we live mindlessly.
Judging Others
Judgement refers to looking at the behaviours of others and ascribing negative labels to those that may be different from your expectations. You use your values and behaviours as the acceptable standards; others are seen as deviations from what is supposed to be your right perceptions and beliefs. Acceptance in this context does not mean resignation. It means that you are not expecting circumstances to be different, that you are not resisting the flow of events. You accept “what is” as the first step to change it. You accept the “suchness” of things and circumstances. Acceptance can also mean that you are aware of what is within your control and what is outside it, and you are comfortable with that.
Find Happiness in the Ordinary
Mindfulness also implies that you are not looking for happiness in some future time, but accessing your inborn capacity to be happy in your present circumstances. You can find happiness in the ordinary happenings of everyday life. For example, mindful breathing, eating, and walking can be sources of joy if done with a spirit of awareness. These forms of meditation can bring about awareness that can transform the activity into joy.
Mindfulness is like a safety net for out-of-control emotions, such as anger, which is often based on the perception of injustice or unfairness. The practice of mindfulness helps us manage these difficult emotions so they don’t overtake us to the point where we become very reactive and therefore make poor choices in our behaviour.
We are human beings not human doings.– Unknown
Buddha was once accosted by a group of Brahmins of the day, “What have you gained from meditation?” they asked. He replied, “Nothing. However, let me tell you what I have lost- anger, anxiety, depression, insecurity, fear of old age and death.”
Being mindful can be a source of happiness; it is a powerful way of being that differs from the doing mode of existence. So much of our lives is spent in the “doing” mode that we think we also have to do something to relax and be happy … often adding more stress to our otherwise busy lives. Let us remember that we are “human beings,” not “human doings”.
While mindfulness promotes happiness, it is important to note that it is not hedonism in the sense of sensual self-indulgence. The focus of mindfulness is to bring more joy, happiness, and balance into our lives by helping us be less reactive and enjoy our lives through our experiences.
