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WHAT IS MINDFULNESS
Mindfulness is at it's core, awareness training that enables true and wise insight to arise from within us.
The practice is focussed on discovering that at our core we are Being, Presence or Pure Awareness itself. As we become established in this reality we are able to meet our life experiences from a place of openness, clarity, wisdom and authenticity.
As we take up the practice of mindfulness what we tend to find is that we are often highly judgemental, reactive and/or overwhelmed by what we encounter in life. This awareness in itself is powerful because it opens the door to understanding and seeing the habitual patterned ways of reacting that have been developed in us, often in childhood. In the beginning we tend to believe that these ways of being are us, but through the practice we come to see that they are in-built reactions that can be seen, understood and released.
True mindfulness practice is something that takes time and patience to develop and, if committed to, has the ability to guide us home to our true, wise, free Self.
MINDFULNESS IS NOT
A religion
Being mindful is our fundamental human capacity to be present, available and attentive; it is simply part of the human experience. Mindfulness meditation has its origins in contemplative practices that go back thousands of years, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism and Advaita. Some of these are religious traditions, and some are not. We offer mindfulness teachings from a secular, science-based approach that include the core of these wisdom teachings.
Clearing away thoughts
Many people incorrectly believe that mindfulness is about having a blank mind. Instead, it is a practice that allows us to observe our thoughts, emotions and experiences as if they are passing clouds in the sky, so we see and acknowledge them, but we don’t become so attached to them and the often inaccurate stories they generate for us.
A relaxation technique
Relaxation is often a side effect of mindfulness meditation practice, but not always. Immediate relaxation is not necessarily the goal. What we are aiming for is the ability to observe our experiences without being overwhelmed by them so that we can find a wise response, rather that reacting automatically.
A training in deep breathing
The breath is often used as a point of focus to anchor your attention on the present moment, however mindfulness meditation does not require you to alter your breathing in any way.