AKM_LIFE_03 : Mindfulness - Practicing Natural Meditation

What is Mindfulness ?

Always be in the moment in the just present. Neither thinking about past nor anxious about future when doing any work/activity. Involve fully in the process, so that state of flow come hence we are in constant meditation. 

Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.

Being fully aware and conscious in that very moment so that we are not thinking on anything, it will be the state of narural meditation and hence mindfulness.

Steps towards mindfulness, we can practice::

1. Pay attention. It's hard to slow down and notice things in a busy world. Take the time to experience your environment with all of your senses — touch, sound, sight, smell and taste.

For example, when is the last time we eat just food nothing else we did while having our lunch/dinner/breakfast ? 

usually we are talking to someone while having our meal or watching TV or any other kind of entertainment. 

Can we try having our meal with mindfulness, just enjoy the food nothing else, while eating our food, take the time to smell, taste and truly enjoy it. it may sound bearing but once you consciously start this you will find it joyful as you find your meal tastier, you will be able to appreciate your parents/spouse/cook, you will be able to have  gratitude for the farmers who has grown vegetable/grain. Just a small activity will make you more closer to life and aliveness.

2. Live in the moment:  Try to intentionally bring an open, accepting and discerning attention to everything you do. Find joy in simple pleasures.

for example activities like bathing, doing small work at home like washing the dishes etc. we have ample opportunities to be mindful.

In modern times with increasing opportunities of quick entertainment, it become difficult to be mindful with these small activities as we thought all these activities as leisure activities and instead of being present in the moment for these activities we try to multitask and kept ourselves away from these methods of natural meditation.

3. Accept ourselves. Treat ourselves the way you would treat a good friend.

4. Focus on our breathing. When we have negative thoughts, try to sit down, take a deep breath and close our eyes. Focus on our breath as it moves in and out of our body. Sitting and breathing for even just a minute can help