Philippines Online
JULY 2012 ISSUE

MIND|Mental

Words by Nicole C. Batac

6 steps to Mindfulness

Mindfulness—it seems such a heavy word but it’s actually very simple.

Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh defines mindfulness as man’s ability of being aware of what’s going on inside himself and outside himself. “It is the continuous awareness of our bodies, emotions, and thoughts,” Hanh says. It entails that you are more present in this moment and are more conscious of life as it happens.

Mindfulness means you resist the tendency to tune out or go into what is called “automatic pilot” mode. When you’re on autopilot you miss out on the good things in life, as well as the important messages from those supposed difficult situations.

HOW TO BE MINDFUL?

Here are six simple tips on how to practice mindfulness:

Start with silence.

Before starting a new activity, begin by being still and silent. Take a few deep breaths. Think of this exercise as prep work for your task.

Do things one at a time.

If you want to be a mindful person, multitasking isn’t the way to go. Mindfulness requires focus. If you’re eating, just eat. If you’re driving, simply drive. Keep in mind the title of Ram Dass’ book: Remember, Be Here Now.

Reader Comments

Top