Mindfulness

So I've been practicing mindfulness for a year or so now. I am not following any religion or theological path - just trying to live in the moment and change my outlook.


Wikipedia

Psychology[edit]

A.M. Haynes and G. Feldman have highlighted that mindfulness can be seen as a strategy that stands in contrast to a strategy of avoidance of emotion on the one hand and to the strategy of emotional overengagement on the other hand. Mindfulness can also be viewed as a means to develop self-knowledge and wisdom.

Trait, state and practice

According to Brown, Ryan, and Creswell, definitions of mindfulness are typically selectively interpreted based on who is studying it and how it is applied. Some have viewed mindfulness as a mental state, while others have viewed it as a set of skills and techniques. A distinction can also be made between the state of mindfulness and the trait of mindfulness.

According to David S. Black, whereas "mindfulness" originally was associated with esoteric beliefs and religion, and "a capacity attainable only by certain people", scientific researchers have translated the term into measurable terms, providing a valid operational definition of mindfulness. Black mentions three possible domains:

1. A trait, a dispositional characteristic (a relatively long lasting trait), a person's tendency to more frequently enter into and more easily abide in mindful states;
2. A state, an outcome (a state of awareness resulting from mindfulness training), being in a state of present-moment awareness;
3. A practice (mindfulness meditation practice itself).

I'm also doing meditation. Again, not specific to any religion or belief system, just an attempt to keep myself centered and focused on now.

Wikipedia

Meditation is a practice where an individual operates or trains the mind or induces a mode of consciousness, either to realize some benefit or for the mind to simply acknowledge its content without becoming identified with that content, or as an end in itself.

The term meditation refers to a broad variety of practices that includes techniques designed to promote relaxation, build internal energy or life force (qi, ki, prana, etc.) and develop compassion, love, patience, generosity, and forgiveness. A particularly ambitious form of meditation aims at effortlessly sustained single-pointed concentration meant to enable its practitioner to enjoy an indestructible sense of well-being while engaging in any life activity.

The word meditation carries different meanings in different contexts. Meditation has been practiced since antiquity as a component of numerous religious traditions and beliefs. Meditation often involves an internal effort to self-regulate the mind in some way. Meditation is often used to clear the mind and ease many health concerns, such as high blood pressure, depression, and anxiety. It may be done sitting, or in an active way—for instance, Buddhist monks involve awareness in their day-to-day activities as a form of mind-training. Prayer beads or other ritual objects are commonly used during meditation in order to keep track of or remind the practitioner about some aspect of that training.

Meditation may involve generating an emotional state for the purpose of analyzing that state—such as anger, hatred, etc.—or cultivating a particular mental response to various phenomena, such as compassion. The term "meditation" can refer to the state itself, as well as to practices or techniques employed to cultivate the state. Meditation may also involve repeating a mantra and closing the eyes. The mantra is chosen based on its suitability to the individual meditator. Meditation has a calming effect and directs awareness inward until pure awareness is achieved, described as "being awake inside without being aware of anything except awareness itself." In brief, there are dozens of specific styles of meditation practice, and many different types of activity commonly referred to as meditative practices.

Both of these are making a definite difference in my life. I'm thankful for all skills that keep me grounded and on a peaceful path. While it's not easy, the more you do it the better you get. I especially like to float and meditate at the same time. I only make it about 30 minutes (a long time for me to meditate) and then I play or fall asleep. It's just so incredible with the sensory deprivation and truly being able to reach within yourself and work on anything you have going on, or continue and keep yourself in the moment.

Completely different topic.

What is it that draws the public to UFC? How is watching two men beat the hell out of each other, bleed all over and suffer brain damage or death for a piece of leather with some metal on it? A belt? What of those who have caused the death? I'm sure Tom Braidwood will deal with Tim Hague's death and the role he played in it for the rest of his life. Pure stupidity.

From a new favourite site of mine, Elephant Journal: "Let the mind beware, that though the flesh be bugged, the circumstances of existence are pretty glorious." Jack Kerovac