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.
@awesomerainbow @adocker @adventurousfan @Ady23 @AutumnLeigh @amiablePeace77 @AMusicalSilence @astray @AnActiveListener @AjanMalic @adaptiveLight27 @aifos1976 @agreeablekite4304 @asilentobserver @alfalfasproutdeux @ambitiouschestnut9158 @ambitiouscity3124 @basty @blueocean @BillyWilson @babybenfin @behindhazeleyes @billywilson @BlueberryFriend @blueocean45 @borderinline @BuddhistDracula @blueDiamond @brilliomturtle89 @bluewolf1229 @benevolentOrange31 @callforhelp @char1otte @CrissiArabela @Claito @calmHero86 @courtmarievibes @compassion4you14 @DarkCoffee @diplomaticShade2167 @Deeperblue @enigmaforte @EnigmaForte @emilyLanes @EmunahHere @EastAfrique @Eccho@Evaparker02 @essdee Fairhouse @FreeSoul1417@fighter23 @Gaara @GhostInTheShellx @Gozzil @happydandan @helpfulHuman4993 @helping2findaway @Harleemoon @honeydinkley @Hereyzzil @hopeless104 @InvisibleAngel92 @Itsybitsyspider91 @inventiveOrange1 @joyoussun45 @kindsoul10 @kristenPLPCCRC @kirtokun0731@kevan @Kodachrome73 Joe2017 @JustLikeMellie @Jenna0903 @joyoussun47 @JenSee @KatMae @KrinkTheMellowUnicorn @kvo8 @KattPiper @Lionellinu13 @lia345 @Learntolive @LilaGrace @lightforlife @lilynoelle @LilyLila @lightofhope89 @Lovejoy @leothelittlelioncub1 @melliotm @Mikey123 @Musicismyfriend @NoDramaBabyLlama @nourrirvotreame @obie2 @oxfordshiregatsby @passionatepeyton @Pat @peacefulwarrior10 @penguinpower31 @peppermintlove @PiecesofYou @Pininin @PinkMallow @pizzalover1341 @politeAvocado7234 @politelychaotic @princessofcurcus @probius @psalm139 @PurpleSnowflake2310 @politeskies6536 @rachelq @resilience @rumplesteeleskin @rosesway @Rcusick12 @sailorelix @saif1for1 @Saltydog68 @ Samar27 @santysan @sensitiveShade5337 @silverWillow1625 @singblue @smileyPower @Softforesthsp77 @soulrestorer102 @soulsings @Spearstar @sujaypai @SunFern @SunFlower @sweetmango91 @summertimesamness @stillLavender24 @tazcares @tjb28 @tisjme @unicornbunny @victoriia @wildcat85 @Wawas @XxOgSpunBbygrl @yogibear10 @yzxil @zeraphim
@agreeableKite4304
Hiya sweet Kite and phew
I agree with you, just doing 1 simple thing "focus on your breathing" can be hard to accomplish due to other things around us, our brain that never is quiet etc. But it can be done. Yes you said HOW! HOW! HOW!
I can only suggest that yes just breathing can get sillified. To be gentlye with you over and over and over. Don't judge yourself but know "hey I am going to try this again" You can do this P.S. breathing is definately nice......
@benevolentOrange31
Hi there Orange wonderful to see you
Yes-mindfulness can decrease your intensity to being angry. When we are angry what happns to our body? It gets all tense and ready to fire. Our breathing yes is there, but at times it can be fast, or deep but labored. Our thoughts? What's going on with our thoughts?? They to are all over and intense.
I looked up some videos that might help you-take a look
Release Anger Meditation https://youtu.be/Ec6GYKxNMds
Mindfulness For Anger https://youtu.be/-JKzJRyX4Fk
Mindfulness Anger Management https://youtu.be/iMh3hlX8sZs
Anger Management https://youtu.be/BsVq5R_F6RA
Body Scan https://youtu.be/aIC-Io441v4
Maybe if these don't interest you can try something you enjoy that is physical. Good luck
@wizeakre
Hiya Wiz I don't think it's a "fake illusion thing" or even a placebo thing. Getting full good rich oxygen in your body does really affect your whole body differently- rather then our breathing shallow and not enough. (I work with clients who run low oxygen levels at times) When we are mindful of our breathing we are in control of slowing it down and then our bodies physical sense is calmer. You are doing right. And if just doing the breathing part in mindfulness helps- well then you are doing something that works for you when you are not feeling all that well
@happydandan
Hiya Dan Nice to see you!!
4) Go and grab Rumplez some cookies
@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
@fearlessWriter78 hey there again tee-heeGood to see you around the forums. Yes the mindfulness on the growth path is good. It gets you started into mindfulness. I'm smiling as you keep discovering more and more mindfulness
@lavenderpeach1107 I am smiling that this you can connect with. Keep up that breathing through the day.
@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.