10 minutes agoAuthor: Shaili Acharya
- copy link
“Leave aside worries about the past and fears about the future and learn to live in the present.”
This statement by the Dalai Lama tells us the importance of living completely in the present. Living the present completely without worrying about the future and past is called ‘mindfulness’.
But are we really living in our present? Probably not because many times we are physically present in the present, but our heart and mind are somewhere else. This happens because we are lost in worries about the future or memories of the past. All that is going on in the mind is that I want this, I should not have done this, something is not going right with me, when will my good time come. All such things, which keep revolving in our mind like a wheel. These worries distract us from being in the present.
Mindfulness comes in handy only in such situations. When we talk about mental awareness, we definitely talk about mindfulness. Well, this is not a new word. This has been talked about for years. Aristotle, Kabir, Socrates, Buddha all have talked about this.
So today’relationship‘ I will talk about what mindfulness is and what is its importance in life. You will also know-
- 11 Ways to Learn Mindfulness
- What is the difference between mindfulness and meditation
What is mindfulness and what is its importance in life
Mindfulness means being completely present in the present. Mindfulness is one of the arts of living. It has been said that the present moment is full of joy and happiness. If you are observant you will see this.
If we are drinking tea, then we should comfortably enjoy the cup of tea, its taste and its aroma for 4-5 minutes. If you are writing something then you should think about that topic only. Mindfulness is not letting the mind wander here and there and focusing it on one place.
Positive effects of mindfulness in relationships
Mindfulness not only makes us happier, it also has a positive impact on our relationships. Mindfulness for happiness in relationships means accepting and respecting each other’s feelings and needs without judgment. We can learn this only when our mind remains in alert mode, always present in the present.
- The term ‘mindfulness’ was first used by Jon Kabat-Zinn. He is a professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and the founder of the Stress Reduction Clinic and Center for Mindfulness.
- In this he has told that the purpose of mindfulness is to just live in the present moment without reaching any decision.
To improve your well-being, know in detail the methods of mindfulness given in the graphic-
1. Start with breathing
For well-being in life, we can start mindfulness with breathing. When we take long, deep breaths we have our full attention and can help us stay in the present moment.
2. Mindful eating
The best way to adopt mindfulness for well-being is mindful eating. Mindful eating means eating mindfully. Often we rush to finish our meal in just 10-15 minutes. Instead, if we eat food enjoying its aroma, texture and taste, we will not only feel happy after eating it, but will also be able to concentrate on the present moment.
3. Walking Meditation
We can include mindfulness in our daily routine through walking meditation. How? You can do this like this, when you are walking, pay attention to your feet and their movement. Be aware of the rhythm of your steps. This will help you to be in the present.
4. Mindful Listening
Mindful listening means listening carefully. We can do this without interrupting what the other person is saying and by paying full attention to what he says. It is important to be more conscious in any relationship. This can make our relationships better and stronger.
5. Single Tasking
In today’s era, people are busy in multi-tasking. Instead of doing one task at a time with full attention, we try to do several tasks simultaneously, so that time can be saved. Saving time is not known, but there is definitely some shortage in every work. The mind also wanders to many places. Therefore, it is better to do only one work at a time so that the work can be completely perfect.
6.Mindful Observation
If you are doing some work, do not let it distract you. Like seeing something for the first time, keep your mind calm. Observe that thing, this will increase your observation power.
7.Mindful Communication
Speak carefully and listen carefully. If you want to maintain good personal and professional relationships, then mindful communication is essential. Many times it happens that we are sitting in a meeting, the boss is explaining something but our attention is focused on home. This can spoil communication.
8. Take short breaks
When we get tired of sitting at one place for too long, and get bored of doing the same work, our attention starts getting distracted. For this you can take short breaks. Get up from your seat and go to drink tea, talk to someone, go for a walk. This practice is good for relieving stress, as well as keeping you present in the present.
By adopting these methods in life, you can increase awareness for well-being.
What is the difference between mindfulness and meditation
Some people consider mindfulness and meditation to be the same, but there is a difference between the two. Mindfulness and meditation seem similar, but they are quite different. Meditation means meditating. For this, the person sits at one place, closes his eyes and concentrates. At the same time, mindfulness means being completely present in the present with eyes open. Live in that moment, keep your body, mind and mind focused there.
Know the difference between the two in detail in the graphic below-
