By Jackie DeLise
Pause
The space between thoughts, the space between words, the space between action, the space between breaths – this is the pause – where you will find your inner calm, a reservoir of tranquility, pure presence, stillness, and clarity.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness as a daily practice is paramount to mental health wellness and a balanced lifestyle. Being mindful is a natural state of being in simple observation to the present moment; the only one we ever truly have. Here. Now.
Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., is an American professor emeritus of medicine and the creator of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
He defines Mindfulness as: “The awareness that arises through paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the moment, and without judgment.”
There are three key components in this definition:
1. “On purpose”
Paying deliberate attention and being aware of – and placing your attention on – that which you are doing, feeling, saying thinking with gentle curiosity.
2. “In the moment” (Presence)
You are engaging your attention in the moment instead of on regrets or ruminations of the past and daydreaming or worrying about the future. You know what you are doing, thinking, saying, sensing in real-time. It’s moment-to-moment awareness of the actual experience of your life. Notice what is arising in your mind, body, and emotions.
3. “Without judgment”
You simply pay attention to experiences as they arise, without labeling or judging what is happening or creating a narrative around it. Non-judgment is a natural state of awareness: it’s present, open, and gentle. Your attention doesn’t judge, grasp, resist, or attach to anything because the practice of Mindfulness is the absence of ego and self-image, and the gateway to self-care.
Benefits of Mindfulness
- Improved overall well-being
- Enhanced resilience
- Normalized blood pressure for a healthier heart
- Improved immune system
- Reduced chronic pain
- Decreased anxiety and depression
- Enhanced regulation of emotions
- Increased self-awareness
- Improved focus and ability to learn and retain new information
For more insights from Jackie DeLise, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn!
