What is your mindfulness practice?

[PrincessFiona]

Or do you have one?

It's the big buzzword and 'everyone' is doing it right? So are you?

[PrincessFiona]

I've tried a few different things. I started a free course (that I need to get back with again .... ooops) at http://palousemindfulness.com/selfguidedMBSR.html
that seemed interesting and useful but I sort of lost my momentum. I was able to get into body scan meditation but sitting meditations are like pure torture for me. I can get through about 10 minutes and then I'm done with a capital D. I have tried many different sitting meditations but they aren't for me. I do Tai Chi/ ChiGong every week and I find them the most useful meditation for me because they use the whole body. I'm able to relax and sit with my feelings non-judgmentally while I move and for some reason that works better for me than just sitting and breathing does. To be fair, I get something out of sitting for about 5-10 minutes of a sitting meditation, just not longer. I don't know how people do 45 minute sitting meditations. It would really not be for me.

Kris

[spotty_dog]

Hm. I'm rebellious enough that hearing that this is a "buzzword" thing makes me want to run screaming the other way. Yet I'm also fascinated. In what circles is mindfulness practice the New In Thing? It seems this could be good for the world!

If I have a practice, it's just in reminding myself to "chop wood, carry water". Just taking time from the hustle/bustle and the whirling headspace to walk mindfully...drive the car mindfully...knit mindfully...honor my own emotions. Thich Nhat Hanh is my big inspiration there. There are lots of examples of this kind of practice in the sidebar here: http://plumvillage.org/mindfulness-practice/

But the point of long sitting meditation is that it IS difficult. It takes practice to be able to just be with yourself that long. But zazen isn't part of every practice and it sure isn't an essential part of mindfulness.

[Sheherezade]

I regularly do 20 minute sitting meditations, and I go to yoga several times a week. Yoga Nidra has been a new thing for me. I find that it really does clear my mind. Active breathing helps for me (three part breathing or alternate nostril breathing) to get out of my own head.


Angie

[Thirteen]

Has anyone hear heard of "Headspace" (app, developed by a former (??) monk)...?

DH says it's great for those who would like to learn how to meditate, in small steps. I believe the first 10 lessons are free.


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[scrub-jay]

I like "Breathe" it is also free, but you can buy extras. Guided meditation that is easy to follow.

[Ladybug]

I don't meditate. I do journal. I'm trying to get back into the habit, it slows down my thoughts enough to write, examine them and bring me to a more mindful, purposeful, peaceful place. I had fallen out of habit but I'm getting back into it. It helps me release a lot of anxiety, concerns, fears, etc.

[Pollyanna]

Hm. I'm rebellious enough that hearing that this is a "buzzword" thing makes me want to run screaming the other way.

Me too!

I guess I would consider a healthy prayer life the best way to be mindful.

[medpedspouse]

I do not sit still, quietly very well either. My mindfulness practice is part of my everyday and all day activities. For example, as I was walking from the parking lot to my building I noted the warmth from the sun, the breeze and the feeling on my skin, the sound of the birds and the smell in the air. Or while having lunch, I noticed the flavors and textures...basically I try to be present and "mindful" of what is going on all around me instead of focusing on the future (my to do lists, etc) or the past (beating myself up for something I wish I had done, etc). If those thoughts do creep into my conciousness, I acknowledge them and let them go.

[Sheherezade]

I recently reflected on my father's state of dementia and thought positively it's the most "living in the moment" that you can get. It seems like torture to those of us that focus so much on planning ahead or looking back. Maybe it's life's way of teaching our spirit to just "be".

See how philosophical I am?? 😊


Angie

[rufflesanddots]

I'm actually doing DBT right now, so I practice mindfulness a lot. It's been extremely helpful in lowering my anxiety levels (especially my fear of flying). When I'm feeling out of sorts I try to find my breath or just be mindful of some small task so I can slow everything down for a moment. It's definitely a "practice", though.

[poky]

I recently reflected on my father's state of dementia and thought positively it's the most "living in the moment" that you can get. It seems like torture to those of us that focus so much on planning ahead or looking back. Maybe it's life's way of teaching our spirit to just "be".

See how philosophical I am?? ��


Angie

I've definitely had those thoughts, too.

I love yoga nidra and breathing exercises.

[medpedspouse]

I'm actually doing DBT right now, so I practice mindfulness a lot. It's been extremely helpful in lowering my anxiety levels (especially my fear of flying). When I'm feeling out of sorts I try to find my breath or just be mindful of some small task so I can slow everything down for a moment. It's definitely a "practice", though.

This. Plus the more you do it, the less you have to walk yourself through the steps.

I do want to point out that the most important factor in your mindfulness practice is to do it without judgement...as in stop judging yourselves for not being able to meditate for X amount of time or for letting your mind wander.

[Sheherezade]

Because we are totally geeking out on the whole meditative state stuff in this thread, I'd like to share my favorite way of dealing with mind clutter. When I have all these thoughts drifting through my brain, I try to imagine that I'm in a movie just coming out of an unconscious state. You know how they always film those scenes - with the voices of others drifting through the scene, sounding like they are far away or fuzzy to the main character who is just waking? I try to turn my thoughts in to those voices, turning the volume down on each thought as it arises -- and I let them drift away half unheard. It disconnects me from the muddle in my head until my brain stops generating babble.

[houseelf]

I love that method, Angie! I'm going to try that.