Mindfulness

As a result of habitual patterns of thinking and feeling, we in the West have been nearly blinded to what is often called the Mind-Body connection. It borders on ridiculous that we require scientific evidence to "prove" that the mind and the body are connected. Of course they are connected, in countless and inextricable ways. Nonetheless, the science is in. Studies on mediation, mediators and other mind-body practices resoundingly pronounce that working with our mind-state does indeed have many tangible and positive health effects on the body.

Duh.

Mindfulness can be considered non-judgmental awareness of moment-to-moment experience. It is practicing sanity. Rehearsing reality orientation. Simple and effective, concrete and wise, helpful and healthy. Meditation is often called a Science of the Mind, in that one observes, without preconceptions, what is there. What arises in the mind? What triggers emotions or desires? What am "I"? This is the vanguard of exploring consciousness.

Positive health benefits of meditation include:
* Lower levels of anxiety
* Reduction in stress
* Reduction in depression
* Increase strength and vitality
* Reduction in fatigue
* Improves cognitive functions
* Slows the aging process
* High levels of activity in the parts of the brain that help to form positive emotions, such as: happiness, enthusiasm, joy, and self-control,
* Decreased levels of activity in the parts of the brain related to negative emotions like depression, self-centeredness, and a lack of happiness or satisfaction,
* A calming of the section of the brain that acts as a trigger for fear and anger,
* The ability to reach a state of inner peace even when facing extremely disturbing circumstances, and
* An unusual capacity for empathy and attunement to emotions in other people

And it goes on. But better and best of all, this data, is verifiable by you. Begin a simple practice, and discover for yourself. In a world where pharmaceutical companies spend an estimated 8 billion in advertisements, and another 8 billion in free samples to doctors, psychiatrists and hospitals, it is no surprise that mindfulness is kept secret. In a world where psychotropic drugs are handed out like candy and dissatisfaction, lethargy and apathy levels run rampant, its time to seek simple alternatives to the lifestyles we've accepted. It is time to take care of ourselves again, with preventative health practices such as meditation.

How to begin?

Sit.
Relax.
Get comfortable but attentive.
Follow the breath in.
Follow the breath out.
Notice your breathing slow and deepen.
When you find yourself thinking, notice that you are thinking, and come back to the breath.
Come back to the breath.

For further reading I highly recommend Thich Nhat Hanh books. He reminds us to take care of our emotions as a mother would a screaming child, gently and with care. He says:

The first function of mindfulness is to recognize, not to fight. The second function of mindfulness is that once we recognize and we embrace it. Instead of fighting, we are taking good care of experience. The third function of mindfulness is soothing, relieving. What is there, is being taken care of.

The energy of mindfulness contains the energy of concentration as well as the energy of insight. Concentration helps you to focus on just one thing. With concentration, the energy of looking becomes more powerful. Because of that, it can make a breakthrough that is insight. Insight always has the power of liberating you.