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The Importance Of Having A Mindfulness Practice

Posted Saturday, July 18th, 2015 by

mindfulness, practice, self development

One of the topics that is frequently discussed at Above & Beyond Acupuncture is mindfulness, and how helpful it is to implement it into a daily practice. In the 21st century, many people lead very busy lives with very little down time. Starting each morning with a mindfulness practice provides a sense of calm and serenity. This can allow a person to move throughout their day in peace, regardless of the activities. Having a mindfulness practice can also help to alleviate anxiety, stress and other challenging emotions. We wanted to take some time to discuss what mindfulness is, how to be more mindful and some suggestions for creating your own mindfulness practice.

What is mindfulness?

In order to better understand the importance of having a mindfulness practice, it’s best to have a proper understanding about what mindfulness is. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines mindfulness as “the practice of maintaining a nonjudgmental state of heightened or complete awareness of one’s thoughts, emotions, or experiences on a moment-to-moment basis; also: such a state of awareness.” [Link]

How can I be more mindful?

There are many actions that can be taken to become more mindful, but the most important one is being present. From the definition of mindfulness listed above, we can see that being present is an essential component of living a more mindful existence. It is in the present moment that clarity of thoughts, emotions and experiences take place. Being present is not only important for self-development, it is an essential facet of life for everyone seeking balance and harmony. Focusing on the present moment helps keep thoughts away from the past and/or future, which are mere illusions that exist only in the mind. This is an important topic that needs to be discussed and thought about, as many people lose touch of the present moment by becoming consumed with memories that dominate their being. In a previous blog post titled “The Power Of Being Present”, we discuss what it means, why it can be challenging at times and provide some helpful tools to be present. If you find it difficult to be present we suggest you take the time to read through this article.

Another way to be more mindful is by being a conscious human being. A person who strives to be conscious has an awareness of their reality, emotions and thoughts. Being conscious shares many similarities with being present, as they both place value in the present moment. A conscious human being lives in the present moment while maintaining a clarity of their existence and having a critical awareness of their actions. Striving to be conscious is a worthy endeavor that will promote peace and harmony within the mind, body and spirit. In a previous blog post titled “Becoming A More Conscious Human Being” we go into detail about what it means to be conscious, and also the challenges that can exist. Being that this is an important topic we hope you take the time to read through this article as well.

What is a mindfulness practice?

Each person’s definition of what a mindfulness practice is will depend on what tools, exercises and methodologies they choose to implement into their life on a daily basis. Some people find that a morning meditation is a great way to start the day, as it clears their mind and helps them to be present. Other people like to read affirmations, as they believe that repeating mantras helps to improve their train of thought and raise their consciousness. Regardless of the actions taken, it is important to develop and implement a practice that works for you. Your mindfulness exercises can be performed after waking up in the morning or anytime during the day. They can be done in a quiet space or around other people, whatever feels best.

Everyone can benefit from having their own daily mindfulness practice, so we suggest you consider starting one. Be persistent, consistent and regular with this process as it can take some time to properly implement. If you can make this part of your routine, you will soon find yourself being more centered, calm and balanced.