Mindfulness: Any devotees here?

Absolutely. Once you try it I think it is almost impossible to live any other way.
 
Yes. I've found a level of contentment I previously thought unattainable.

I began a few years ago by reading Eckart Tolle, then explored a few Eastern philosophies and now mostly study Buddhism.
 
Yes. I've found a level of contentment I previously thought unattainable.

I began a few years ago by reading Eckart Tolle, then explored a few Eastern philosophies and now mostly study Buddhism.

Aaron Eckart is also a good resource.
 
All sorts of good stuff to poach from Buddhism. Not a believer in the continual cycle of death and rebirth of the soul. I don't believe in immortal souls. But as an answer to the cycles of want, need, gain and loss in just one lifetime, it has great things to say.
 
Can someone give a reader's digest summary of this?

This is the first I've ever heard of it.
 
Tell me more.

My foray so far consists of buying this over the w-e: http://www.amazon.com/Fully-Present...undefined&sr=1-1&keywords=mindfulness+smalley

I was introduced to it by reading various texts about Buddhism. As usual, I have my own way of practicing it.

The first is the idea of living your life in the present moment. It has greatly increased the level of gratitude for everything I have. For example, I used to hate doing the dishes. It was a task to be done every day (at least once) and I would spend the time resenting the fact that I had to waste that time at the sink. Through mindfulness, I learned to just accept that dishes needed to be washed, and that those few minutes at the sink were an opportunity to shut down my brain and simply experience that particular moment. The warmth of the water, the soapiness of the dishes, etc. I focusing on that, and nothing but that it became a form of mini-meditation during my day. Folding laundry was another task I hated until I started being mindful of it.

Another way I practice it is by focusing on the present moment and avoiding dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. I try (and try is the operative word as it is not easy to do) and focus on whatever it is I am doing and feeling at the moment. I don't look for ways of distracting myself like using my cell phone if I'm waiting at the doctor or in line at the super market. I simply relax and observe what is going on around me and try and connect with how I am feeling without judging any of it. I think too often we have an expectation that we should be happy all the time and equate feeling sad with feeling bad. The first is an emotion, the second is a judgment. I've tried to eliminate good and bad from how I view things as much as possible and instead, I try and identify the actual feelings themselves. Mindfulness helps me to connect with myself on a much deeper level than I ever have in my life and as a result, I find I have more gratitude and happiness than I ever have before.

I hope that makes some sense.
 
From Wiki

Mindfulness meditation

Mindfulness meditation is practiced sitting with eyes closed, cross-legged on a cushion, or on a chair, with the back straight. Attention is put on the movement of the abdomen when breating in and out, or on the awareness of the breath as it goes in and out the nostrils. As thoughts come up, one returns to focusing on breathing. One passively notices one's mind has wandered, but in an accepting, non-judgmental way. Meditators start with short periods of 10 minutes or so a day. As one practices regularly, it becomes easier to keep the attention focused on breathing. Eventually awareness of the breath can be extended into awareness of thoughts, feelings and actions.


When you get pissed off and stop and take like three deep breathes to calm down, you are practicing mindfulness.
 
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