Mindfulness

A Crash Course in Mindfulness

In the spirit of keeping things bite-sized, I’m going to explain mindfulness as simply and briefly as possible.  Once you get the hang of it, the rest will come naturally.

Mindfulness is being in the present moment, right here, right now.  It’s not drowning in the despair of the past.  It’s not drowning in the worries of the future.  It is noticing this moment right here.  And then this moment.  And then this moment.

The simplest way to practice this is paying attention to your breath.  You can’t breathe in the past, and you can’t breathe in the future.  You can only breathe right now.  Just notice your breath.  You don’t have to change it, you don’t need to make it longer or slower or deeper.  The breath you’re breathing right now is perfect, even if it’s shallow or shaky.  Just notice.  How does it feel on the tips of your nostrils?  Can you feel your chest or belly rising and falling?  What does it sound like?  Practice this briefly several times throughout the day.  The rest will come naturally.