How can slowing down and pausing to check in with yourself and your surroundings help you make a shift in your relationship to everyone, everything and more importantly yourself? That pause, which is a luxury in todays life, gives you a moment of choice; a choice between a response and a reaction. And that choice changes your relationship with yourself and everyone around you. The Cultivation of Mindfulness practice is a lifestyle change that will benefit you in physical, mental, emotional and social areas. Bringing your awareness to your breath mindfully is one of the ways to slow down and be present in the NOW.
Sit comfortably with straight but flexible spine, head gently supported over your shoulders. Close your eyes and gently focus on your inhalation and exhalation. You can keep a hand on one of the anchor spots (your chest or belly) so your focus is tethered to your breath. If a thought arises and when you become aware of the thought, acknowledge it and bring your attention back to your breath, that is the ‘moment of mindfulness’. In this process of bringing your awareness back to your breath repeatedly, you are building that ‘Mindfulness Muscle’ by training your mind to be in the present. Always remember to accompany this muscle building exercise with compassion and non-judgement towards yourself and others.
Cultivation of Mindfulness will not alter or prevent the rough patches in your life but it will give a new perspective so you will not pile suffering on to the existing reality. Can you imagine how this will play wonders in reducing anxiety, insomnia and other conditions like hypertension, increased heart rate etc. Hope you will give it a try.
