mindfulness

Harvard Health newsletter ad.

Mindfulness. What does that really mean?  Well, I see there are definitions, quotes, photos, exercises, techniques, training, books, etc. If you just look at the word: mindfulness would seem to be a full mind, but this is exactly the opposite. It’s an approach that doesn’t allow your mind to do anything but observe what’s in there.

Mindfulness also involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them—without believing, for instance, that there’s a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in a given moment.  How can we pay attention without judging something that is our own head? Let me see if I can understand this and apply it. I have heard this term for years and it “sounds so good”, that I have never really taken it apart and unraveled it for myself. I thought is was “being in tune” with yourself. Hmmm….

I found the five things that interrupt someone’s ability to be mindful. 1. Not understanding what mindfulness is- Check! ( to correct- bring your attention back to what is happening right in front of you, every time your mind wanders.)  2.  Not remembering to be curious- no checks! ( to correct- stop thinking and judging which is what the mind does well- and notice whats happening and get curious about it) 3. Making it a big deal- no checks!( to correct- accept that no matter how spacey, forgetful, impulsive or reactive you have been- you can always begin again). 4. Trying to use it only when you are upset- no checks (to correct- do it while you are happy and feeling good, so it’s a natural habit to help you when you get stressed out). 5. trying to do it alone without others of like mindedness- Check! ( to correct- remembering to do mindfulness is the hardest part- so, just remember (ha ha), the things that you think- are just thoughts. That’s all. You can either choose to take them seriously and make them your new reality, or you can notice them, maybe get curious about them, and then let them go in favor of more useful ideas.)

Well, it seems that something that all deeply spiritual people throughout time have done from an inner wisdom is now a new “practice” without any spiritual focus. The big problem is that letting your mind do as it will and not correcting or retraining it, is the source of many bad ideas that become bad behaviors that become problems for someone besides yourself.

I go back to my original premise. When has there ever NOT been a right way to think and feel?  I think the most helpful aspect of learning in this piece of investigation into “mindfulness”, is # 5- what do you do with your thoughts? They encourage you to notice them, be curious, then let them go in favor of more useful ideas. Good grief, this has been taught for >2000 years- “whatsoever things are good , kind, lovely….” you get the idea. They say the practice has ancient Buddhist roots, but there is never any mention that it is meant to provide spiritual relief to the mind and body.

Phillipians 4:8, 9
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Depression is anger turned inwards. Many diseases are dis- ease exacerbated by inner thoughts and emotions. If you have no spiritual belief system, this must be the empty headed version of calming yourself. Be very careful using mindfulness that you don’t allow “wrong thinking” to reign. If you are just observing what your mind is dwelling on, how do you decide what to focus it on? If you aren’t judging the good from the bad, how do you improve your thought life and your real life? Just something to consider. Choose wisely, what you view, read and think about. It will influence you, more than you realize. I suppose actively making requests or praise through prayer or repeating a phrase like “OM” for meditations are both ways of keeping you from letting your mind wander aimlessly as you enter that restful state. All I can think of right now is “As a man thinketh, so he is”. 🙂

“As a Man Thinketh” is a literary essay by James Allen, published in 1903. It was described by Allen as “… [dealing] with the power of thought, and particularly with the use and application of thought to happy and beautiful issues. I have tried to make the book simple, so that all can easily grasp and follow its teaching, and put into practice the methods which it advises. It shows how, in his own thought—world, each man holds the key to every condition, good or bad, that enters into his life, and that, by working patiently and intelligently upon his thoughts, he may remake his life, and transform his circumstances. “  It was also described by Allen as “A book that will help you to help yourself”, “A pocket companion for thoughtful people”, and “A book on the power and right application of thought.”  ( wiki)  This is much more my perspective on “mindfulness” !!