“When you are present in this moment, you break the continuity of your story, of past and future. Then true intelligence arises, and also loves.” Eckhart Tolle
What is mindfulness? The quality or state of being conscious or aware of something. What does mindfulness help you with? Paying more attention to the present moment, to your own thoughts and feelings, and to the world around you. Mindfulness can help us enjoy life more and understand ourselves better. Examples of mindfulness practices: 1. Mindful Breathing This exercise can be done standing up or sitting down and pretty much anywhere at any time.
Start by breathing in and out slowly.
Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth, letting your breath flow effortlessly in and out of your body.
Let go of your thoughts. Let go of things you have to do later today or pending projects that need your attention.
This can also be called 7/11 breathing, in for 7 out for 11.
2. Finger breathing Place your pointer finger at the bottom of your thumb. Breathe in as you slide up. Breathe out as you slide down. Breathe in as you slide up your second finger, and breathe out as you slide down. Keep going until you have finished tracing your fingers and you have taken five slow breaths. Founder of mindfulness Jon Kabat-Zinn and MBSR. In 1979, Jon Kabat-Zinn founded the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program at the University of Massachusetts to treat the chronically ill. ... Mindfulness practices were inspired mainly by teachings from the Eastern World, particularly from Buddhist traditions.
Why is mindfulness so important in life today? I think that mindfulness is so important in life today because we all have things going on in our life and we don’t really understand or know how to cope with it but making mindfulness an important part in our lives and in school we will learn to cope with things better and know what to do.
“Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally,” says Kabat-Zinn. “It’s about knowing what is on your mind.”
Jon Kabat-Zinn (born in June 5, 1944) is Professor of Medicine Emeritus and creator of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Centre for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University Of Massachusetts Medical School. Kabat-Zinn was a student of Buddhist teachers such as Thich Nhat Hanh and Zen Master Seung Sahn and a founding member of Cambridge Zen Centre. His practice of yoga and studies with Buddhist teachers led him to integrate their teachings with scientific findings. He teaches mindfulness, which he says can help people cope with stress, anxiety, pain, and illness. The stress reduction program created by Kabat-Zinn, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), is offered by medical centers, hospitals, and health maintenance organizations.