Erin Explains: 3 Biggest Misconceptions about Mindfulness
What is Mindfulness?
Founder of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program Jon Kabat-Zinn (2013) defines mindfulness as paying attention on purpose to moment-to-moment awareness in a non-judgmental way.
At Mindful Moments, we see mindfulness as a way of being - a personal and regular practice of being in the awareness of the present moment to enhance our well-being. It is a gentle practice that invites curiosity and self-compassion towards attending to our own body and observing the nature of the mind, which is usually responsible for much of our emotional pain and suffering.
Mindfulness also trains the mind to work with distractions and focus better, and allows us to gain clarity of the cause of our problems. It helps us develop greater acceptance towards challenges, change our relationship to stress, and increase positive emotions.
More and more research are being done on mindfulness, with some suggesting that mindfulness, when practiced regularly, changes the brain over time by increasing the density of gray matter in brain areas associated with memory and learning, emotional regulation and empathy.
Mindful Moments (or MiMo) was set up to encourage mindfulness as the way of life; we believe that everyone should benefit from mindfulness and we hope to make the practice of mindfulness easily accessible to more and more people through the programs and coaching we offer. Do contact us to find out how we can help support you.
At Mindful Moments, we see mindfulness as a way of being - a personal and regular practice of being in the awareness of the present moment to enhance our well-being. It is a gentle practice that invites curiosity and self-compassion towards attending to our own body and observing the nature of the mind, which is usually responsible for much of our emotional pain and suffering.
Mindfulness also trains the mind to work with distractions and focus better, and allows us to gain clarity of the cause of our problems. It helps us develop greater acceptance towards challenges, change our relationship to stress, and increase positive emotions.
More and more research are being done on mindfulness, with some suggesting that mindfulness, when practiced regularly, changes the brain over time by increasing the density of gray matter in brain areas associated with memory and learning, emotional regulation and empathy.
Mindful Moments (or MiMo) was set up to encourage mindfulness as the way of life; we believe that everyone should benefit from mindfulness and we hope to make the practice of mindfulness easily accessible to more and more people through the programs and coaching we offer. Do contact us to find out how we can help support you.
Mindfulness is NOT...
Mindfulness is not a religion or faith...
It is practiced in a secular way, open to people from all backgrounds and walks of life. At Mindful Moments, mindfulness is taught as a set of techniques for cultivating a different relationship to stress, and the practice itself does not involve prayers, rituals, or ceremonies.
Mindfulness is not a quick fix...
It is a serious practice that requires patience and commitment from the practitioner. As the practice of mindfulness encourages an attitude of lifelong training of the mind, a self-disciplined and proactive attitude is needed.
Mindfulness is not medicine or psychological therapy...
It does not replace your need to see a physician, doctor, psychiatrist or therapist. In fact, mindfulness has been incorporated into more and more cognitive and behavioural therapies as well as other Western psychologies.
Mindfulness is not "mambo jambo"...
It is a field that has in the recent decades been studied by more and more medical professionals and is increasingly backed by scientific research spanning the areas of neuroscience, cognitive behavioural therapy, healthcare, education, parenting etc.
Mindfulness is not a cure-all...
Mindfulness has received a lot of media attention in the recent years, and because of this it has also unfortunately invited much speculation and assumptions about the practice being the answer to all sorts of problems. While mindfulness has many long-term benefits for the practitioner, it should not be seen as a cure-all, but a practice of present moment awareness that has helped many people better cope with stress and anxiety to enhance their lives.
It is practiced in a secular way, open to people from all backgrounds and walks of life. At Mindful Moments, mindfulness is taught as a set of techniques for cultivating a different relationship to stress, and the practice itself does not involve prayers, rituals, or ceremonies.
Mindfulness is not a quick fix...
It is a serious practice that requires patience and commitment from the practitioner. As the practice of mindfulness encourages an attitude of lifelong training of the mind, a self-disciplined and proactive attitude is needed.
Mindfulness is not medicine or psychological therapy...
It does not replace your need to see a physician, doctor, psychiatrist or therapist. In fact, mindfulness has been incorporated into more and more cognitive and behavioural therapies as well as other Western psychologies.
Mindfulness is not "mambo jambo"...
It is a field that has in the recent decades been studied by more and more medical professionals and is increasingly backed by scientific research spanning the areas of neuroscience, cognitive behavioural therapy, healthcare, education, parenting etc.
Mindfulness is not a cure-all...
Mindfulness has received a lot of media attention in the recent years, and because of this it has also unfortunately invited much speculation and assumptions about the practice being the answer to all sorts of problems. While mindfulness has many long-term benefits for the practitioner, it should not be seen as a cure-all, but a practice of present moment awareness that has helped many people better cope with stress and anxiety to enhance their lives.
References:
KABAT-ZINN, J., (2013). Full Catastrophe Living. Second Edition. London: Piatkus
KABAT-ZINN, J., (2013). Full Catastrophe Living. Second Edition. London: Piatkus