Mindfulness

“Mindfulness is the ability to focus on the emotions, thoughts and sensations occurring in the present moment. It can ease a variety of mental conditions, including feeling bored, anxious or worried about a task. Mindfulness teaches us to make a conscious effort to stay in control and focus on the here and now. It teaches us to stop and concentrate on our breathing for a few minutes before continuing, paying close attention to the task at hand. It means our minds aren’t flitting from one subject to the next while we are doing one particular thing.   From the Little Book of Spirituality by Gilly Pickup.

Mindfulness for some is difficult and needs lots of practice. Our brains process and an extraordinary amount of information every minute. Most of which we are unaware of, but it goes on and on and on processing information.

When in the grieving state mindfulness is often very elusive, however, it is just at that time where mindfulness comes into its own.

Grieving takes a lot of energy and often our thoughts constantly wander into thoughts of what, why, what if, how can I go on and a million other repetitive thoughts. Some of these thought processes take over our lives and can create a world devoid of colour and energy.

Anxiety looms large from these thoughts and feelings, and one soon begins to spiral or at least seem like being spun viciously out of control through a constant plethora of negative emotions, feeling helpless. Ultimately one begins to consider they are at the at the mercy of their misery.

It is when thoughts run rampant where the getting into the practice of mindfulness can come into its own to help your mind and body take back some control. Mastering mindfulness will put you in charge of your grief and not render you a victim to its darkness.

Another excellent resource that I have come across and personally used is “Mindfulness – a practical guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World”, by Mark Williams and Danny Penman. It is a book that teaches you what is happening to you and how to go about finding that piece of peace. It also comes with a handy little CD. Check it out; it might just be one of the best investments you make in yourself on your journey through life.