Awareness of one’s behaviour, thought & emotion, can empower one to live a more rewarding & authentic life. – Unknown.
Do we as humans embrace every moment in its entirety?
Do we enjoy the ‘NOW’ of each flash?
Amidst the cacophony of responsibilities and distractions, finding peace and connecting well with the present moment or being conscious of the present moment, feels like a distant dream. However, since each one of us is conferred with innate abilities to explore & discover, the term ‘Mindfulness’ has enjoyed a tremendous surge in popularity in the past decade. In very simple terms, mindfulness can be understood as ‘being in the present moment’ which means that each individual should try & channel his/her concentration exclusively towards bodily sensations & inner experiences and try to be closest to the inner self. In this blog, we delve deep into the transformative power of practicing mindfulness, its positive impacts on our well-being & focus on the value of practicing mindfulness with our children.
Understanding Mindfulness – One breath at a time
The journey to understanding the concept of mindfulness begins with a simple acknowledgment of the breath, which is an uninterrupted companion of our lives. With each breath, we request ourselves to be fully conscious of the present of now, securing our awareness of the here. It is the quality that every human being possesses, a quality that we are born with. Directing our focus on the current moment, can reshape our views on life and alleviate negative thoughts of anxiety or sadness. The key elements of mindfulness comprise of several core principles that shape the foundation of its practice. At the very core of mindfulness remains the ‘awareness of one’s breath’, which helps to bring an individual’s attention to the present moment & serves as a point of reference. ‘Awareness of breath’ or ‘conscious breathing’ is a reminder to self, that peace is always available to us, no matter where we are & what we practice. Another important principle is non-judgmental acceptance, where we try & to put our likes, dislikes, ideas, and opinions out of mind and receive things & situations as they are. It is often said, ‘Patience Pays’, that is another principle of mindfulness, which implies, that we need to be more easy-going & open with ourselves. i.e., we need to give time to ourselves and see what unfolds by itself in its own time. ‘Trust’ is the next principle of mindfulness which signifies that it is okay to make mistakes, we need to trust ourselves, our intuitions & feelings. ‘Letting go’ remains the fifth principle in the practice of mindfulness, that is we try & let our experiences & thoughts be what they are at the moment i.e., we only pay attention to our inner experiences. The sixth principle is the ‘Beginners mind’ which stresses, looking at things with a clear mindset as if we are seeing them for the first time and not letting our past experiences, beliefs or expectations impact us. Last but not the least, is the principle of non-striving, which emphasizes the element of non-doing, which means considering and receiving things as they are in the present moment. By immersing oneself in the practice of mindfulness, one will not deepen his understanding of self, but will also cultivate a heightened sense of concentration & self-awareness.
Positive Effects on Well-Being
Countless research has reflected myriad benefits of mindfulness with consistent practice, showcasing its capacity to foster a state of harmony in physical, mental, emotional as well as psychological realms. With present-moment awareness and focusing on non-judgmental acceptance, mindfulness enables individuals to confront life’s obstacles with heightened calmness, reducing the detrimental impact of persistent stress on both the body and mind. It also teaches us to let go of the need to control outcomes and embrace life with openness and curiosity—a mindset that fosters greater joy and fulfillment in daily life. Furthermore, mindfulness fosters the cognitive abilities, attention & focus of a person, thus by training the mind to remain fixed on the present moment, individuals can enrich their ability to sustain attention and make clear-headed decisions, leading to greater productivity and effectiveness in life.
Benefits of Practicing Mindfulness with Children
Babyhood, childhood & adolescence are somewhat crucial stages in the development process, these phases not only lay the foundation for physical & mental well-being but also for future growth. It’s undeniable that today’s children are facing significant stressors, stemming from academic demands, course load, peers, weighty competition, and are even witnessing instances of violence within school environments. Thus, as caregivers, parents or teachers, we have a unique responsibility, to introduce mindfulness practice to our children, hence facilitating them to develop essential life skills for navigating the complexities of the modern world. Several researches have showcased that if mindfulness is practiced at the school level, it can result in diverse emotional, social & cognitive advantages. The more kids and teenagers practice mindfulness the better they become at it. Through the effective practice of mindfulness, they can learn to manage stress, get along better with others, focus better on the task at hand, regulate their emotions, become better listeners and overall develop a positive outlook toward life.
Conclusion
To conclude, mindfulness, despite being based on a simple principle, yet is a profound formula for leading a contented life with its roots in present-moment awareness, acceptance & empathy. In a world that often seems to be chaotic & ambiguous, incorporating mindfulness, in daily life is a ray of hope & possibility for exponential growth. By incorporating mindfulness in our lives as well as in the lives of our children, we are sowing the seeds of inner peace, resilience, greater presence & connection as well as contentment for our future generations thus enabling them to lead a more meaningful and worthy life.