{"id":3411,"date":"2022-10-01T07:15:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-30T21:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastfamilies\/?p=3411"},"modified":"2023-09-08T12:15:16","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T02:15:16","slug":"mindfulness-beyond-buzzword","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastfamilies\/mindfulness-beyond-buzzword\/","title":{"rendered":"Mindfulness: Beyond the Buzzword and Into Real Practice"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Alexandra Wilson (AMHSW; CSW; MAASW; BSW Usyd)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The term \u2018mindfulness\u2019 has become kind of a buzz word in popular culture. Many people have heard of mindfulness and perhaps even done a bit of practice. However, I hear from many of my clients that they have tried mindfulness and it \u2018didn\u2019t work\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe they found it frustrating because their mind would not \u2018be quiet\u2019. I hear from some that they were expecting to feel relaxed, but they didn\u2019t (or they felt more stressed!). For some, they find it boring or struggle to stay awake throughout a practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is consistent however, is that misunderstandings about mindfulness give people unrealistic expectations about the practice. Sometimes the way mindfulness is taught is too simplistic, and omits some skills that are core within the practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My favourite definition of mindfulness is \u2013 mindfulness is paying attention in the present moment, moment by moment, with awareness and without judgement. (Jon Kabat\u2013Zinn).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, mindfulness is paying attention to whatever is in the present moment, and how this may change moment by moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mindfulness most literally means \u2018awareness\u2019. However, mindfulness is way more than that!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Two Wings of the Dove\u2019<\/strong>
This is how many experienced mindfulness teachers explain mindfulness it actually has two vital elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first essential element of mindfulness is awareness
<\/strong>If we are not aware of something, we cannot begin to consider how to approach, respond or change it. All change starts with awareness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we start practicing mindfulness, we usually practice becoming more aware of our internal and external experiences. This could be using guided mindfulness practices focused on breath, sounds, sensations, thoughts, or any other internal or external experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practicing awareness is essential in developing mindfulness however it is only the beginning!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What many people start to struggle with as they develop awareness, is they become more aware of things that are uncomfortable for them. For example, they become more aware of painful thoughts, emotions or physical sensations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve had many clients tell me as they practice mindfulness they actually feel worse! This can be the reason many stop practicing, before they\u2019ve had a chance to expand their practice and feel the benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second essential element of mindfulness is non\u2013judgement
<\/strong>This is the element that is often left out of brief mindfulness training. Building non\u2013judgement is much harder and takes a lot more practice than building awareness. But it is this part of mindfulness that is truly transformative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Developing and practicing non\u2013judgement involves noticing and challenging our automatic judgment impulses. As humans, we tend towards judgement very easily. So to practice non\u2013judgement we are pushing against years of habit, it can be tricky!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practicing non\u2013judgment is like working a muscle, to start with it\u2019s hard and frustrating. We notice how unconditioned we are in this skill. However, with regular training and consistency, we start to notice small changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we practice non\u2013judgment, we start to notice we are seeing the world in less \u2018black and white\u2019 terms. We start to see everything is nuanced and complex (how it really is).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We start to see others through a different lens of non\u2013judgment (or at least less judgment!) and then we also start to see ourselves through that same lens. We become more understanding of why we do the things we do, whilst also being aware of how we can and should change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people think non\u2013judgment means accepting everything, or not pushing for change in any way. But this is not correct. When we start to see things as they are, without the limitations of our previous judgements, we can see effective ways forward towards change. Non\u2013judgement and awareness increase the likelihood of change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Practice
<\/strong>Guided mindfulness apps and resources can be a great start but try adding these tips to your next practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n