Mindfulness is a popular concept that has been talked about lately. Some people say that it is a philosophy or a method of psychotherapy; It also thinks like a meditation method or a yoga philosophy. There is also a lot of misinformation explained with the "carpe diem" logic. Actually, mindfulness; It is a new trend that can be better understood through training, practices and regular exercises, has become widespread recently and has been scientifically proven. In this article, I will talk about what Mindfulness is as a basic concept and what it does. In addition, the concept of Mindfulness, which has many aspects; After my own experiences, I would like to talk about the part that impressed me the most, that I felt deeply beneficial for, and that I could adapt to my life.
Mindfulness is generally defined as follows, with minor changes in the sources: Right now; To notice what is happening around us, with our whole body, in the moment we exist. You may ask yourself, what does noticing the moment mean? Is it possible that we are not in the moment we actually are? Now let's think about it.
There is only you in your thoughts, there is only you in the past, or you are in an event that is likely to happen in the future. So, where is the you in the present moment?
Staying in the present moment is not an event that happens on its own. Yes, life has a natural flow and we all know that we are in this natural flow, but how much can we notice and feel this flow? In the age we live in, everything is moving faster and faster every day. This is exactly why trying to stay in the moment, being able to stand in the moment in fast-flowing time, observing what is happening in the moment we are in, is a conscious action that can be done voluntarily. Only by consciously and gradually making it a habit can we begin to pay attention to what is happening in the moment. Because this is the part that Mindfulness basically accepts and is mainly interested in: the mind is a floating thing. Most of the time we are not in the present moment. Any feeling or thought about the past or future; It keeps us from noticing the present moment. When we have any problem on our minds, we often find ourselves thinking about it. A study published in the journal Science In this article, the concept of the floating mind is explained as follows: "Unlike animals, humans spend most of their time thinking about events in their environment that are not there at the moment, or are not even likely to happen, or have happened in the past, even if they are not here at the moment." *
Have you ever noticed that you were lost in thought while watching television? Have you heard your children call mom and dad three times? Or when you read a book and realize that you haven't read anything when you finish the page? Our experience; A mind that gets tired by wandering around other lands while physically being there at that moment is actually nothing more than the depletion of our energy required for resolution... Mindfulness is a stopping point in these tired times. It's time to take a break to observe what's happening there at that moment as it is and accept it as it is.
So, what do we expect to happen? The concept I have been trying to define since the beginning of the article is, what do we expect to change when we stay in the moment? Actually, I don't have any expectations. Staying in the moment and being mindful is not a destination, it is a stop. Yes, it is a stopping point that allows me to distance myself from whatever I experience occasionally, that is, trying to stay in the moment, that occupies my mind (thoughts and feelings about the past or the future).
On a long intercity road where we are tired of driving. We can think of it as a short break, a place where we can breathe, catch our breath, drink water and wash our hands and faces. It gives us the opportunity to create a space where we breathe and listen. If mindfulness were a friend, I think it would whisper the following into our ears:
“Wait, calm down. Where are you breathing right now, what smells come to your nose; Can you hear the sounds rising and falling and shifting around you? Let your emotions and thoughts stay where they are, don't ask yourself why and how, just pay attention to what's happening around you. I'm sure you'll realize that you're resting..."
What I'm talking about is not waiting for the problems to be solved as if you were touched by a magic wand; or being hypnotized and going back to the past or somehow foreseeing the future. Rather, to stop pursuing problems wherever and whenever they occur. The problem is either about the past or the future; or about your family life It's also about your job. Maybe you're angry at your beloved friend, maybe your wishes haunt you. Whoever they are about and whatever time they belong to, let them stay there; because they are not with you in this moment of existence. You are the one who brought them to this moment, and you can reserve this moment for yourself by paying attention to the moment you are in. In fact, this is your freest area. And while you have forgotten to spare this moment for yourself, you can do this, notice what is happening in this moment and create your own break time, your own free space.
There is an important point we need to pay attention to here. As we mentioned, the mind is a floating thing; Therefore, we may be distracted during this experience. While trying to focus on the moment and notice, we may get distracted, our minds may start to fly, and thoughts may occupy our minds again. No problem. What we need to do is try to stay focused on the moment again. Watching them pass by without judging ourselves, without interpreting our thoughts, and experiencing returning to the moment again and again.
I am sitting in a cafe right now, and I am captured by some anxious thoughts about my future. I have work to do, it's all jumbled up. I accept all of them. Are they really here with me right now? Do I carry it with me like a package? Can I take it everywhere I go, every moment? Yes. So, what would happen if I didn't take it? It would be nice if I could just leave it at home and leave. Right now, sitting in this cafe, I want to realize that they are not with me. I do this consciously. Looks like I forgot them at home. I want to get out of autopilot and create break time for myself.
I listen to the song playing in the next cafe. I see people walking on the beach. There are also people swimming in the sea, the sea is wavy and a light wind is blowing. I sip the coffee in my cup, I think it has cooled a little. As I take a sip, the lingering smell of coffee makes me smile. I'm trying to feel the connection between my body and the chair I'm sitting on. I realize that I touch the ground with both feet while sitting. My arms feel like they're stuck to the iron arms of the chair, they've gotten a little hot. At this moment, it occurred to me that I still couldn't decide what to wear to the evening party. I guess I felt a little nervous. No problem. I come back to the moment again, I think the song playing has changed. The wind is still blowing gently.
It's around me right now. I try to perceive what is happening with my 5 senses. I really pay attention to what's around me, as if I were exploring. . What I perceive is a very different experience for me than the future concerns I just mentioned... I think I need to get up now. I have to stop by home to get ready for the reception tonight. I pay my bill and get up quickly.
The short break I described was good for me, I can feel it. I sat there, in that cafe and at the same table, many times. But this time was different because every time is different. Please experience it. Try to notice what is happening in the moment, give yourself the opportunity for small breaks. Take care of your own free space, only you can create it. I know we all deserve this. Because none of us have to be a slave to negative feelings and thoughts about the past or the future. As we begin to make this a habit, we realize that our negative emotions and thoughts become distant. Whatever the subject, the moment I am in belongs to me and I can rest in that moment. I can continue on my way feeling better, stronger and more peaceful. Whatever my problem is, no matter what time it is, I am here, in this moment. And that's where reality lies. When I pay attention to this moment, I can distance myself from my negative emotions and thoughts. I can feel them disappearing and coming and going. When I focus on the present moment, I actually become free.
Now I would like to ask you. Where are you right now? What moment are you really in?
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