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Mindfulness has become very popular in recent years. It’s a practice in its own right and a great way to start engaging with meditation. It helps to distinguish between meditation, which is a specific practice you do for a period of time, and mindfulness, which is something you can practise at any time, whatever you’re doing.
Mindfulness simply means being aware. Mindfulness practices start with an element of settling, usually by grounding our awareness in the sensations of the body. Then we turn our attention to our direct experience – especially our bodies, thoughts and feelings – as it is happening in the present moment. That helps us to be more present and allows us to step back from unhelpful patterns of thinking, gaining a better perspective on whatever’s happening in our experience.
Because this is so helpful for mental health and overall wellbeing, a ‘mindfulness movement’ has developed outside Buddhist settings, and some Order members have become prominent teachers within it. Triratna mindfulness projects include Breathworks and Breathing Space at the London Buddhist Centre.
In its original Buddhist setting, mindfulness is a part of a path to Enlightenment. We can broaden awareness to include other people, and deepen it in the light of the Buddhist teachings – for example seeing that the things we experience are changing and interconnected.
A mindfulness meditation led by Vishvapani
Here’s a body scan meditation led by Vidyamala, the founder of Breathworks, which guides you through awareness of the body, bit by bit. This practice is usually done lying down.