What is Mindful Meditation and How Does it Work? Of all meditation mindful thought can be very therapeutic, so in this article, we answer the question of what is mindful meditation and how it works.
What is Mindful Meditation
Mindful meditation combines two important stress-fighting techniques: mindfulness and movement. In fact, physical activity, whether it's brisk walking, jogging, or even biking, is proven to reduce stress-inducing chemicals like adrenaline and cortisol. By introducing movement into a stress-prone routine, we can also introduce more mindfulness into our day. The movement also helps our bodies to release endorphins, the feel-good brain compounds that give us that “high” associated with exercise.
How to Mindfully Meditate
To engage in mindful walking, start by feeling your body in standing still as much as possible. Start by taking in all the sights around you: the colors of the sky, the trees, the smells of the foods you're eating, the sounds of the people and places around you. Notice how your eyes feel when you look at something for the first time, the way your skin tingles when you brush your teeth, the way your stomach feels when you sit down. Focus on all of the sensations and become aware of your thoughts as they pass by. While it may seem like a moment of Zen meditation, actually it's more of an awareness exercise.
Remember to Slow Down
The next step to mindful walking is to slow down your pace. Instead of driving your body at a fast or accelerated pace through your movements, you want to slow your pace enough that you are mindful of exactly how much you're moving. Stand still and count your breaths, noting the number of breaths you take as you move forward.
Meditation Proper
Once you've gotten through the initial mindful walking phase, you can move on to the next mindfulness exercise: meditation. Meditation is a practice that can be done anytime, anywhere, but most especially while you're walking.
Getting Started with Mindfulness
Mindfulness meditation consists of sitting comfortably with your eyes closed, clearing your mind of all thoughts, and replacing it with your heart's desire to connect with your entire body and be present in each breath.
Take a few deep breaths, allowing all the air to go into your lungs, and then slowly return your attention to your hands and feet. As you do this, you will gradually realize that all the sensation in your body comes from your thoughts and not your sensation of breath. That's about it when considering what is mindful meditation and how does it work?
The Benefits of Mindful Meditation
By practicing mindful walking and meditation on a daily basis, you'll slowly start to realize that the sensations that fill your body each moment arise from within you, without your thinking about them or trying to control them. As you follow your intuition, you will find that the sensations come much more naturally, rather than as a result of what you are “going through” or “doing.” It's like you have a sixth sense that tells you when your body is getting uncomfortable, or when it's time to wake up. You may not realize that these sensations and feelings are not a result of anything you are doing, but they just are.
10 Minute Mindfulness Meditation
If you practice being mindful of these sensations and becoming aware of how they arise, over time, you will develop a heightened awareness in all your senses. When you practice being mindful of the sensations in your body, you will be able to control and even eliminate many of the negative effects of stress on your body.
Listening to Your Body
Paying attention to your body as it moves as it should, will give you an extra boost of self-confidence. After each session, you will find that you move a little faster and that your pulse rate increases. You will also discover that you have a stronger focus and awareness as you walk. Since being mindful of your body and noticing its sensations has been a learned skill, the more you practice, the easier it becomes to stay focused and aware while walking. This increased awareness can help you enjoy a greater quality of life and can relieve many of the symptoms of stress.
What Is Mindful Walking Meditation And How It Can Improve Your Health
What is Mindful Walking? Walking meditation developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn involves walking meditation with the goal of arriving at a place of insight and tranquility.
Walking meditation can be practiced alone or with another experienced walker. The important thing to realize is that this activity is very helpful and you may already be doing it without even knowing.
How To Practice Mindfulness Meditation
Mindful walking is simply observing yourself and observing what you are doing without becoming engaged in what you are doing. You are observing your body and your movement, while simultaneously paying attention to the environment around you such as the scenery, the sounds, and the texture of the clothing on your feet. In addition to paying attention to the environment, you are also paying attention to your thoughts and what you want to do next in your walk.
Attend to Your Feet
One way to practice the to-do list while walking is to pay attention to your feet as you pass by. Think about the sensation of your heel striking the ground as you walk. If you are walking slowly, you may notice your heels getting higher as you reach the top of a hill. Or you could be walking up a flight of stairs and notice your feet hitting the bottom before they reach the top. Notice when your heels hit the floor as you reach each step. This will help you keep a good rhythm as you move forward. People report experiencing mindfulness-based stress reduction
Simple Breathing Meditation for Beginners
Another method for practicing awareness while walking is to focus your attention on the sensation of your breathing. Breathe deeply as you walk.
Awareness of Breath Practice
Think about the feeling of the air on your face as you breathe and how that feels as you follow the rhythm of your breathing. Pay attention to the sensations that arise in your chest and abdomen as you breathe. As you become aware of your breathing, you will find it easier to maintain a comfortable pace.
Indulge Yourself in the Inner Experience of the Moment
The intention of the walking meditation is to bring your attention inward so that it becomes aware of the inner experience of the moment. As you practice this first step of the mindfulness exercise, you will learn more about what is mindful and more ways that you can apply this conscious state of mind to your daily life. After the first step is mastered, you can move on to learning more about the sensations that arise as you experience walking. This can take time, but with practice, you will learn to see the flow of movement in space and how that affects your thoughts. As you gain confidence in your ability to observe your body's reactions, you will be able to apply this concept in other situations as well.
Conclusion – What is Mindful Meditation and How Does it Work?
Meditation practice may help with stress anxiety, and in time you will get better at stopping your mind from wandering away from the present.
By practicing mindfulness practice, such as mindful walking meditation, you will discover physical health benefits that you never thought possible. You will be able to bring the physical state of mind into your daily living and get more done in a day.
This mindfulness meditation practice will improve your self-esteem and open a world of possibilities for you and your family. We hope this answers your question about what is mindful meditation and how does it work?
