What If You Don’t Know How to Be Mindful?
Get Comfortable
This is not about sitting with your palms facing up, your thumbs and first fingers of each hand touching to form a closed circle, and saying a favorite mantra. Or trying to sit cross-legged on the floor.
Mindfulness is about comfort and your breath.
So, if you can get comfortable, can try to relax, and can breathe, you’ll have no problem learning to be mindful.
No Distractions
First, get comfortable, in a place with little or no distractions.
I like to lay on my bed with my eyes closed, or sit at my desk, all the way back into the chair, with my feet lightly resting on the floor, and hands resting loosely on my knees. Depending on the time of day, I may let my gaze, lower, to focus on a point on the floor, or I may simply close my eyes.
Now, you find a way to sit or lay down that will be comfortable for you over a period of time.
You may prefer to get comfortable on a chair, on the floor, on a park bench, on the grass, or even on a basketball court! Whichever, try to sit upright with your shoulders relaxed — slightly down, not scrunched up toward your ears — so you feel no tension in your upper back and shoulders.
If you have a meditation cushion and prefer to sit on it, do so.
You may want to close your eyes, if that doesn’t feel right, simply lower your gaze, or you may choose to alternate between the two.
Remember to relax your jaw, and don’t forget your feet, allow them to naturally rest on the floor, or if you are lying down, let them rest, loosely, away from your body.
Don’t be alarmed, if getting comfortable seems awkward. Simple as it is, and sounds, getting comfortable may take you a couple of tries, before you are comfortable!
Notice Your Breathe
So get into a comfortable position, and pay attention to your breath.
Take a deep breathe through your nose, then slowly allow the warmth of your in-breath to flow through your mouth. Now, repeat this mindful exercise for a minute or two.
See, already you feel relaxed and oblivious of all the “clutter” surroing you.
Remember to pay attention to every inhalation and exhalation, whenever a thought enters your mind, gently acknowledge it, and return to noticing your breath. Thoughts are natural, no need to worry or bother with them, now. Gently let them go.
There!
Congratulations!
You are being mindful!
“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” — Oprah Winfrey
Meditation is a habit that may come easily to some. I have been meditating for over five years, but there were many days I found myself slipping. These days, not so much, not since I completed the no cost Action Habits Challenge by Connie Ragen Green, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author, independent publisher, and serial entrepreneur. You can check it out here.
Meditation is a habit that may come easily to some. I have been meditating for over five years, but there were many days I found myself slipping. These days, not so much, not since I completed the no-cost Action Habits Challenge by Connie Ragen Green, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author, independent publisher, and serial entrepreneur. You can check it out here.
If you’re interested in revitalizing your life through meditation and would like to learn a virtually risk-free, and cost-effective practice, that people of all ages can do with a little patience and guidance and that will serve you for the rest of your life, I would love to connect with you. You can connect with me here.
This article was originally published on my site at https://donnapresents.com/what-if-you-dont-know-how-to-be-mindful/.
I’m Donna SLam, who loves to blog about how meditation brings self-compassion, peace of mind, and clarity to my life and others by sharing tips and strategies on how to live a fulling and purposeful life. I enjoy championing others to lead a healthy and happy life through meditation, walking, self-development, and spending time with loved ones.
