The greatest challenge is stating the problem in a way that will allow a solution.

Friday, July 11, 2014

Mindfulness Requires Practice

 Mindfulness is used to deal with chronic pain.  Jon Kabat-Zinn writes about it in his first book: 'Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of your Body and Mind to face Stress,Pain, and Illness'.  He taught these techniques at the Harvard school of medicine. 

Mindfulness Meditation is a Buddhist meditation technique but is available to anyone, J. K-Z teaches in his talks, books and videos.



Mindfulness Meditation is a Buddhist meditation technique but is available to anyone, J. K-Z  teaches in his talks, books and videos, like his early video:

Mindfulness Stress Reduction And Healing




Link:


How to Use Mindfulness Meditation in your Life

Life in modern times has become so rushed and stressful for everyone that if we don’t find ways to cope with the pace, we will struggle more physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually

Using mindfulness meditation techniques and learning how to be mindful moment to moment in our daily lives can transform us into a person who has a clear mind and an open heart. 

Even with its hectic pace and demands, life can be more peaceful. 

In a blog by Mary Jaksch, of goodlifezen.com it was said:

being mindful is simple but not easy. 

It takes practice.


BE MINDFUL:

Knowing our mind may be engulfed in the past and the future,  
we need to find ways to bring ourselves back to the moment. 


We are fully human and can be fully awakening. 

This deepening opens us to what some would say is the essence of enlightenment. 

Awakening is ongoing:

Zen proverb:

“Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. 
After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water.” 

This proverb demonstrates two things: 

- all daily life tasks become moments of awakening and enlightenment and

- once we are enlightened or awakened we are still a human on a human journey. After we become “enlightened,” we still have to brush our teeth.

This viewpoint of mindfulness takes us to an understanding that even enlightenment deepens and deepens. 

Mindfulness is a daily practice that allows us to embody more and more wholeness.

BUT HOW DO I DO IT?

It’s important to remember that everyone goes through stressful events in their lives – no one is exempt from this.

Our task is to work with life as it is. 


Since we know that we have some participation in creating it, actively trying to stay mindful will allow us
to be in every moment of our lives.  

This allows us to embrace it, learn from it, resolve it, and release it. 

As we process and become more aware of these difficulties, they release, we can relax and we are more in the moment.


WAYS TO BE MINDFUL

Besides your sitting mindfulness meditation practice, every few hours during your day, bring yourself back to your breath; notice the sensations in your body and what you are feeling emotionally.

As best you can, face your upsets head on, glean the goodies and the lessons - then let them go and breathe.


TRY this Meditation:

Mindfulness Body Scan by Jon Kabat Zinn
http://youtu.be/SJxQ8CWxzPw





Take a good deep breath in…and now let it go…another good deep breath in…and let it go…take just a moment to notice the sensations in your body…start from the bottom of your feet and notice any sensations you have…move up through your legs and into your torso…


YOUR HOMEWORK:   Practice 
.....................................

Jon Kabat-Zinn

  • Jon Kabat-Zinn is Professor of Medicine Emeritus and creator of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Kabat-Zinn was a student of Zen Master Seung Sahn and a founding member of Cambridge Zen Center. His practice of yoga and studies with Buddhist teachers led him to integrate their teachings with those of Western science. He teaches mindfulness which he claims can help people cope with stress, anxiety, pain and illness. The stress reduction program created by Kabat-Zinn, called Mindfulness-based stress reduction, is offered at medical centers, hospitals, and health maintenance organizations.



Uploaded on Apr 13, 2011
The Tucker Foundation and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
present
Jon Kabat-Zinn
"The Healing Power of Mindfulness"

April 7, 2011
Spaulding Auditorium
Dartmouth College

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