Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a process, not a goal. It is not about what we do but how we do it.

It is an act of acceptance, a decision to be here now, moment to moment with careful and deliberate attention.

Mindfulness is a compassionate state of being present to our lives, withholding judgement of our moment to moment experience.

It can be practiced in so many ordinary ways: while we brush our teeth, talk to our partner, listen to a child, a neighbour or a work colleague, drink a cup of tea mindfully, eat a meal with careful loving attention, walk in the street feeling our feet on the pavement, hold a pet, care for a parent, smell a flower, feel the wind on our skin, hear the birds singing or the street noise, face a deep fear, cradle a rising feeling of anger, nurture a deep sadness... 

There are no wrong or right ways to practice mindfulness, isn't this wonderful?

Noticing

Noticing a sound, a feeling, a body sensation, a smell, an emotion, a way of being, ...

Being with whatever we noticed, a fear, a rising anger, a touch,... Not judging our experience. And if we are judging it (for example thinking it is good or bad, right or wrong, painful or blissful), not judging that either.

Allowing the breath into the experience and letting it go, welcoming the breath in and out of the body sensation, in and out of the present moment experience.

Feeling grateful for remembering to be here now, to be accepting and loving to ourselves.

Read more...

A lovely article on Mindful Parenting