What is Mindfulness – Watch

Watch the introductory video to my Teachable course Mindfulness in Life and at Work (release date soon).

The main purpose of mindfulness is to awaken to the inner performance of your mental, emotional, and physical processes. All you need to get going is yourself, and an attitude of openness and curiosity.

Mindfulness is available to you in every moment, whether through reflection and self-observation, mindful moments when you consciously practice, or by simply by being fully present, aware of where you are and what you are doing,

We all possess the ability to be mindful. Regular daily practice will make the habit more readily available. Over time you’ll find that your thoughts and reactions begin to change.

You become mindful when you choose to focus your awareness on your experience via your senses, or to notice your thoughts and emotions. The longer-term benefits, research shows, mean that as you train yourself in mindfulness, you’re actually influencing the physical structure of your brain (this is called neuroplasticity).

To get started with mindfulness, make it part of your day by setting aside a regular five to 10 minutes to practice. Pick a quiet spot (some people call this a sacred space), and choose a simple exercise, like breathing or tuning in to your senses, to get started.

Practice focussing and observing. If intrusive thoughts distract you, let them go by bringing your attention back to your breathing or senses.

Be patient, and kind to yourself. There is no ‘right way’ to go about this. Let go of any expectations and just observe what happens as it happens, and accept the experience.