Discover Mindfulness

Translated into Spanish as " full attention”, The term mindfulness is used precisely to describe a state of mind, of attention and full awareness, attentive and reflective to what happens in the present moment, which is reached by practice meditation.

Where does it come from

This technique is an adaptation of several Buddhist traditions Western culture, stripping it of any "spiritual" or "religious" content. During this time thousands of people have learned to practice it from a standardized program and it has been scientifically proven that it is capable of improving not only the levels of well-being and, but also medical disorders that range from pain, to obesity, through insomnia, digestive problems or.

What does it consist of

Through the practice of mindfulness it is intended that the person focus only on the current moment actively, avoiding value judgments, criticism or other interference in what you perceive or feel. Therefore, it consists of a contemplative experience that tries to openly observe reality, accepting situations as they arise, without trying to modify, avoid, or control them.

When a person is aware of what he is doing, thinking or feeling moment by moment, he is practicing mindfulness. Its exercise means, among other things:

• Focus your attention where you want, preventing feelings, concerns or thoughts from taking you away from the present.
• that is, to see things as they present themselves at all times, without denying evidence or resisting what already constitute facts in a person's life.
• Do not allow the mind to wander, from one side to another, without orientation, jumping from one image to another and letting itself be carried away by a multitude of thoughts that can constantly assail it.
• Do not continually reissue past experiences or not anticipating future situations, since in this way the present moment goes practically unnoticed.
• Although the practice of mindfulness has clearly psychological interest and connotations, it transcends the merely psychological and is impregnated with a broader sense. Something like a life philosophy and a way of being in the world and of behaving in specific situations and moments.

As practiced?

To really understand what mindfulness means and to cultivate this skill of the mind is necessary a training with a person who guides us and dedication of time, perseverance, energy and discipline. Therefore, it is not a passive process.

More and more there are lessons where this technique is taught, first to feel the benefits of mindfulness, and second to go deeper into the practice on our own. They are usually done in a group and last about eight weeks.

Mindfulness training consists of expressly observe body and mind, and allow the experiences to unfold moment by moment, accepting them as they are.

Its practice can be carried out at very different levels and that is why there is also the possibility of training while immersed in the hectic daily life, while performing activities such as walking, eating or consciously breathing.

You can exercise simply by asking yourself: "What am I feeling right now?", "Am I in this present moment?", "Am I really attentive?" The objective is to be guided by the daily dynamics paying full attention to reality as a whole, that is, to the people with whom we interact, the way we eat, how we feel, how we speak, how we listen, among other aspects. .

The first goal of mindfulness practice is quiet the mind, calm her down, make her serene and calm. To do this, the mind must be trained to remain focused on a single point, constantly and uninterruptedly, for example, on the breath itself.

Profits

Mindfulness practice can generate positive effects in the daily dynamics of the person who exercises it. Some are:

• Improvement in the general well-being of the person.
• Helps to regain internal balance. Increase the level of calm and serenity.
• It favors the connection with oneself, with others and with the world that surrounds us.
• It stimulates the recognition of the constant changes in the thoughts, emotions and sensations of the person.
• It increases the ability to concentrate.
• Teaches breathing and relaxation.
• Improves the quality of sleep and eating habits.
• It induces you to accept reality as it is, enjoying the present moment and reducing suffering.
• Enhances self-awareness and self-knowledge.
• Lower the level of impulsivity.
• Mindfulness can also be used as a complementary method in the psychological treatment of certain problems such as anxiety, stress, depression, acute or chronic pain or insomnia.

• It means: mindfulness of what is happening here and now.
• It can be learned in: group classes of about eight weeks.
• Profits: improves well-being, teaches breathing, promotes sleep, balance ...

Elena Killed Specialist in Clinical Psychology