what is mindfulness

➡️ mindfulness

Welcome 

thank you for choosing this artical. As you’ll discover over the following pages, being mindful doesn’t always involve formal exercises or meditations. In fact, you may already be practising mindfulness without realising it. When you catch the scent of blossom on a spring day and pause to trace its origin, you’re being mindful. When you hesitate before answering the phone and ask yourself if you really need to take the call, you’re being mindful. When you stop long enough to notice your breath, you’re being mindful. One of the beauties of mindfulness is that it brings you closer to yourself and enables you to reach towards where you want to be. In fact, they are often the same thing. I have been meditating for many years, and consistently find it takes me to a place beyond thought, a place that enables me to draw on a rich source of wisdom not influenced by insecurities, prejudice or expectation. This deeply intuitive self-contact can guide you through your day-to-day challenges but also give you a sense of direction and purpose that may otherwise elude you. When I am seeking answers to a difficulty I’m facing or looking for more fulfilment in my life, before searching for a practical solution, I often ask myself: ‘What really matters? What is the truth? What can I trust?’ Whatever drew you to this book, l hope that living more mindfully supports you in answering the important questions in your life and gives you tools to help you live it in a more meaningful way.

PART ONE: THE BASICS

What you need

Moving meditation

Once you have some experience of the foundations of mindfulness – bringing your attention to your breath, and observing your thoughts, emotions and bodily sensations in a non-judgemental way – the next stage is to put your understanding into practice.
Moving meditations are perfect for this as, rather than learning to be mindful while dealing with the multiple demands of everyday life, you choose one area at a time to practice your new-found skills.
We’ve included four moving meditations where you can apply the insights you’ve learned so far. Whether you prefer to walk, run, swim or practice yoga, the following pages will give you all you need to get started.