How to take that first step into mindfulness?
How do you know where to start?
What do you do?
Which one is right for you?
"I wanted to know it all, to find the fast track secret!"
What I discovered is that there are many ways to catch a snake! The deeper you look, the deeper it seems to go, and you can soon lose sight of the simplistic nature of this practice. For someone who just starting out on mindfulness it can certainly bring on curiousity as well as fear. Where should I start? What do I need to know? What should I concentrate on?
Enjoy breathing, my friend! Just enjoy breathing.
Its the simplest yet most difficult practice to master; there are no apps, no memberships, and no costly celebrity-endorsed six-week courses needed.
What!!
What are you telling me-JUST BREATHE!!! hmm
Just breathe
So, why choose breathing? Its so simple, not very sexy, a bit boring, and easy to get distracted from! So why focus on just the breath?As breathing is the foundation of life, so too is breathing meditation the foundation of all practices. When we can truly be mindful of our breath, great concentration will arise, and compassion and joy will be found in the present moment. But first we must enjoy breathing.
Our breath is constant and effortless, and we carry it with us wherever we go. With practice, it becomes a beautiful anchor that centers and grounds us. Sitting meditation is just the practice it is here we practice our concentration by being mindful of our breath, but we can, and should, meditate throughout our daily lives, in any situation. Your breath is always with you, always present and constant. So, whenever you desire, I invite you to go back to meet it.
On a bus, notice your breath. While walking down the street, notice your breath. During a conversation, while washing the dishes or brushing your teeth, and even when youre eating, notice your breath. Use your breath to bring you back to the present moment and let your mind-be-full of that which you are doing and empty of that which you are not.
Theres nothing to say that other ways to practice midfulness wont open up to you later on. Of course these will come if you want them to! But for now, try to focus on breathing alone....he benefits will be immensely gratifying.
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I am awesome:-):-)
1)I start by focusing on a single object. 2)Then I do the count down of my senses. 3)Then I focus on deep breaths.
@RumpleSteeleSkin for me the start is when I start seeing what I am aware of now. Then I am not reacting but noticing what is going on and maybe noticing how that affects me. Wherever we start, start right where we are now!
@soulsings
I really like what you said Souls. There really isn't a set place to start mindfulness. But a place where you feel comfy
@RumpleSteeleSkin yes and when or where else can we start but from whatever place we are in.
@RumpleSteeleSkin I find it really easy to do mindfulness in the Growth Path. I'm already doing the growth path every day and it's easy to switch to doing mindfulness if you want. Plus there are so so many mindfulness exercises that the path offers. I love discovering new ones and like you said, even just doing short breathing meditation (which I do often!) is great to start and for me really beneficial.
@RumpleSteeleSkin Great post on breathing! You have a simple and fantastic way of explaining it! I try to be mindful of my breathing througout the day and it really helps in situations of great anxiety and depression!
@lavenderpeach1107 I am smiling that this you can connect with. Keep up that breathing through the day.
@RumpleSteeleSkin I can totally connect with it! You have a beautiful day!
@RumpleSteeleSkin
Very useful! Ty so much🤗
@feelitinyourbones
HI Bones good to see you hereGood to hear this is useful for you. I am thinking of doing something similar to this thread as I am seeing how the community likes this one.
@RumpleSteeleSkin
Indeed, these are hands on useful stuff..no bs, just genuine working advice...it took a long while for me to learn about mindfulness and Soulsings helped me alot too...it is worth it...