What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness could be replaced with so many words; Presence, awareness, reflection, contemplation, the list could go on!
Whatever word you use, I would say that it’s the quality in us that is there when we’re most fulfilled and alive. That moment in which you feel everything is in perspective and you can allow whatever occurs in your experience to come, just as it is, whatever mood or thought you may be having.
More specifically, you know when you’re feeling down and a good friend doesn’t shut you down or judges you for your feeling, but rather kindly listens to you or offers you a nice solution, like a cup of Tea or something? That’s mindfulness.
Or, when you’re deep in the flow state of your favourite hobby or activity and you feel totally immersed in it, as if nothing but that exact moment exists? That’s mindfulness.
The bottom line is mindfulness, presence, meditation etc are all things which we have in us, and that for most of us, we get glimpses of now and again, but the even better news is that we can actively bring this into our lives everyday. And that’s where I come in…
About me
So, I’ve always been (I say quite, but it verges more on the extremely) end of introspective, philosophical and hyper-aware.
At certain times, this has been a blessing, but more often than not, this quality has caused me much pointless worry and stress. As far back as I can remember, I have spent much time alone thinking about deep stuff. For example, as a young kid, others would see me sitting or pacing off to the side of a social situation or family gathering, with me being in my own company or going into my own imaginary world and stimming (Thank you, Autism diagnosis) as well as generally reflecting on the world as a whole. So yes, I was already pretty well-suited for the meditation lifestyle. However, it took me certain on and off experiences in guided meditations from the ages of around 10-14 to really feel like it did the work for me.
Then 2020 came along, and thus the pandemic alongside it. Like many, I was wondering what the hell to do with my time, and what ‘hobbies’ I would dedicate myself to. I tried multiple things, and various activities crossed my mind - One of which was meditation. I was intrigued by this thing which I’d done some times before, but never fully committed to, and felt this strong desire to truly give it a good go. So, it took one 10 minute guided meditation to the deeply soothing tones of Tara Brach, and for some reason, I managed to meditate daily for some months in a row… (As far as I can tell. I’m sure I missed some days too.)
During that time, I was still dealing with my own inner struggles, regarding my mental health and quite neurotic self. However, after beginning to practice meditation, I felt much more acceptance and understanding around these things, and that I didn’t have to get lost in worrying about these things constantly, but rather to notice them and almost not take them so seriously.
So, after my good proper introduction to ‘meditation’ (By here, I’m referring to the standard sit and breathe style most of us associate it with.) I went back to school more regularly and in-person, with my curiosity of meditation deepening some more. I got into and became obsessed with the likes of Buddhist and Vippassana meditation, Thich Nhat Hanh, as well as the standard self-help bookshop folks like Eckhart Tolle.
Mindfulness gradually became interwoven with my day to day life, where I discovered how I could incorporate its practices even when doing seemingly mundane things such as - And, yes, I actually tried to do this numerous times - Walking for 15 mins on my way to college in the morning, amidst all the early morning rush hour chaos of inner city Britain.
Ever since then, meditation has become something very important to my life. Whilst it has most certainly not cured all my problems, it is something which I feel has been a practice which I can use to help me feel more present. I feel it can be incorporated into everyone’s lives, regardless of whether you can sit still for five hours (I certainly can’t), or if you were the sort of person in school who couldn’t focus in class at all. I feel it is a practice and quality which isn’t just a nice little pleasure, but in fact a mode of being and practice which is essential for our ultimate happiness, and healing in our world. Because, after all, if we’re more present and kind towards ourselves and our everyday moments, how can this not flow out to the rest of the world?
