Mindfulness Training
Mindfulness is a common translation of a term from Buddhist psychology that means "awareness". It's about paying attention in a particular way. It's about living your life in the richness of right now, not being lost in memories of the past or overwhelmed by the worries or projections of the future. It's a simple practice that strengthens the mind's ability to stay focused on what is happening right now, and to be open to experience - meeting the present moment with kindness, non-reactivity, and non-judgment. Although most people knowingly experience mindfulness for only very brief periods, it can be developed with practice. Meditation practices both seated and moving attending to breathing, body sensations, sounds, thoughts, etc. Moving meditations consist of walking, stretching and yoga postures. Mindful activity such as mindful eating, mindful daily activities, etc. Recent research shows that mindfulness based practice increases activity in areas of the brain associated with positive emotion and that on-going mindfulness practices support structural changes in the brain. Changing our internal circumstances through mindfulness based interventions can change our level of happiness and our sense of inner peace and calm. This in turn reduces levels of stress and leads to more peaceful living.
