Many people come to mindfulness practice because they want to learn how to live in the present more. The mindfulness technique is noticing when we are wrapped up in the future or the past, when our mind is caught up somewhere else, and then letting those thoughts go, and coming back to the present. TheContinue reading “How Do I Live in the Present?”
Tag Archives: awareness
How Do I Find Peace?
I’ve heard many people say that they want to learn mindfulness meditation because they want to have some peace in their lives. How do we find peace, and what does mindfulness have to do with peace? Peace comes from the Latin word “pax” which means “tranquility, absence of war.” Our lives can be very busyContinue reading “How Do I Find Peace?”
What is the Difference Between Formal and Informal Mindfulness Practice?
Formal practice is the soil, and informal practice is the harvest that comes out of the soil. Formal mindfulness practice is the time we set aside each day to practice the formal mindfulness technique – bringing our attention to the present moment, bringing our attention to the breath. When our mind wanders, we notice theContinue reading “What is the Difference Between Formal and Informal Mindfulness Practice?”
Why Should I Let Go of Judgment?
In mindfulness practice, we are often advised to “let go of our judgment.” We are supposed to practice “nonjudgment,” whatever that means! A common question that comes up is: “But why is judgment a bad thing?” It’s a fair question. Judgment is not necessarily a bad thing. Indeed, we rely on our judgment to getContinue reading “Why Should I Let Go of Judgment?”
How Do I Get a Good Feeling During Mindfulness Meditation?
There’s nothing wrong with wanting good feelings. There’s nothing wrong with not wanting bad feelings. It’s very human! Most of us come to something like mindfulness meditation because we want to feel more calm, relaxed, and compassionate. We want more of those good feelings! We might also want to feel less of those bad feelingsContinue reading “How Do I Get a Good Feeling During Mindfulness Meditation?”
What is the Present?
In mindfulness practice, we are always talking about paying attention to the present moment, being in the present, and returning to the present. The present moment is such a central component of mindfulness practice. But what is the present, really? The present is simply what is happening right now. It is what you are doingContinue reading “What is the Present?”
I’ve Been Doing Mindfulness for a While Now. Why Am I Still Fighting to “Get There” Sometimes?
Sometimes we come to a mindfulness session with some expectations or preconceptions of how it should go: “I should feel more relaxed, more peaceful.” “My mind should get quieter and calmer.” In other words, we want to be “there” – more relaxed, more peaceful, more calm. But right now, we feel that we are “here”Continue reading “I’ve Been Doing Mindfulness for a While Now. Why Am I Still Fighting to “Get There” Sometimes?”
Am I Doing Mindfulness Correctly?
Mindfulness is just paying attention to this moment. There is no right or wrong way to do that. Just like eating, each person has their own way of eating and there is no right or wrong way to eat. That said, most people would agree that no matter how you eat, certainly conditions need toContinue reading “Am I Doing Mindfulness Correctly?”
How Do I Focus My Attention?
Mindfulness is attention training. Although we might look serene and still on the outside, what we are doing on the inside is actually a very active process and endeavor. During mindfulness meditation, we are actively working with our attention, managing our attention, and redirecting our attention. Attention is like a flashlight. Where we point theContinue reading “How Do I Focus My Attention?”
What is Nonjudgmental Awareness?
Nonjudgmental awareness is seeing reality without filters. It means connecting with our experience in an unfiltered way. Most of us have used or worked with filters in daily life. Broadly speaking, there are two kinds of filters: Those that distort/change the original content (e.g., camera filters) Those that let some things through but not othersContinue reading “What is Nonjudgmental Awareness?”
Mindfulness FAQ 