‘The most difficult times for many of us are the ones we give ourselves.’
Pema Chödrön
How many times have you found yourself getting stressed about something that has not happened? Or future proofing yourself against some potential disaster that never arrives? Or maybe you can spend hours ruminating on something you said or did in the past?
You are not alone.
Your brain is designed to be alert for danger. You can fill your days with replaying the past, habitually reacting to the present, and projecting into the future. It is easy to get trapped on ‘autopilot’, not seeing situations for what they are but for what you expect them to be.
Mindfulness is a way to stop ‘doing’ and increase ’being’. It brings your attention into the present moment. It is a way to slow the brain down, so you can respond rather than react.
Being more mindful helps build greater awareness of yourself, and insight into how you think. From this base you can chose to stop doing the things that drain you and do more of the things that sustain and fulfill you.
It’s not a new idea. Many mindfulness practices have their roots in Buddhist philosophy, more than 2,500 years old. In Buddhism mindfulness means remembering, that is remembering to be present. The Sanskrit word Citta means mind, but also heart. So,you could say mindfulness is heartfulness.
It is not a fad, or a technique. It is not a magic wand, either. It is simple, but not easy. It is a practice – a way of being – and the more you practice, the better you get.
