“The mind is like water. When it is turbulent, it is difficult to see. When it’s calm; everything becomes clear.” —Prasad Mahes
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a way of being. It’s a way to relate to ourselves and our life. It’s a basic human quality of awareness that is cultivated by learning to pay wise attention to whatever is happening in our lives without being overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. It is the awareness that comes from paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally. It is not something you practice only in seated meditation; but instead practical skills interwoven into everything you do.
Learning this skill changed my life. And so naturally, I’d love to share it with you, too.
“How can this practice benefit me?”
The answer is different for everyone. Thousands of studies show mindfulness can bring so many positive outcomes such as:
Decreased symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety, and chronic pain
Improved sleep, focus, memory
More self-acceptance and self-love, reduced self-judgement and self-criticism
Reduced emotional reactivity and increased emotional intelligence
Increased feelings of joy and freedom
Greater capacity for intimacy in relationships and access to our own inner resources
"Mindfulness is about being fully awake in our lives. It is about perceiving the exquisite vividness of each moment. We also gain immediate access to our own powerful inner resources for insight, transformation, and healing."
_Jon Kabat- Zinn
Learning and incorporating mindfulness into my life has undoubtedly been the most helpful practice for me over the past decade because it laid a foundation that I didn’t even know I was missing.
It has taught me what it feels like to really “be aware”. It has expanded my capacity to be present and loving in uncomfortable moments, instead of jumping ship or freaking out. It has allowed me to move more gracefully and compassionately move through stressful situations so that I can now see I can handle whatever comes my way. My practice has improved my physical health, changed my relationship to pain, and ultimately helped me enjoy life so much more! It’s that simple, and that profound.
Learning mindfulness is transformational because you begin to learn what is best for you. Not through someone else telling you, but through your own direct experience with yourself. The skills we learn with mindfulness aren’t something just to read or talk about it- it is something to be experienced.