We’re all about finding inner peace; chasing the calm amongst the storm. Yet, spiritual practice in the past felt closed off to many. Something only a select few could achieve or turn to.
It felt like there was almost an elitist representation of calming exercises or practices such as Yoga, breath work or even aromatherapy. In the Western World, anyway. Today, mindfulness has become more ‘mainstream’ and accessible to all, and its potency to achieve a more controlled, and happier state of being isn’t diluted by mass popularity. In fact, the more we know about it, the more we can share in the joy of it.
Now, mindfulness is a form of meditation which can have some people running for the hills. Meditation is a hard thing to practice, but the good news is, mindfulness is a form of it that can be achieved by all. Hence its renowned popularity across classes, cultures and different age groups, especially in recent years.
Taking time for you doesn’t need to come with an instructor. It doesn’t need to come with a hefty price tag, and to be honest, it doesn’t need to be a specific practice. Mindfulness is a personalised approach to engaging in something that calms you and allows you to relax your mind, body and soul. All that good stuff.
Before you think, “Mindfulness? That doesn’t sound like something I’d enjoy” – read on to realise that, actually, it’s something for everyone to achieve and engage with. And, you’re probably already practicing mindfulness. You just didn’t realise it had a name.
So, what is the true definition of mindfulness?
Without going into the melodrama of it all – as some people fear is what happens with overarching terms like spirituality or inner peace: exaggeration – mindfulness is an effective tool for people from all walks of life.
It’s pretty special, but at its core, it’s about taking time for you – connecting with you. Being aware of you.
Let’s look at a Western definition of mindfulness, as articulated by Dr Jon Kabat J Zinn: Mindfulness can be defined as “paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally.”
As one of the key founding figures of this practice, Zinn’s articulation of the practice is on point, but it’s an evolving concept.
Although Zinn was a key figure for bringing mindfulness to the Western world, it has been around for centuries, birthed from Eastern psychological practices, including Buddhist psychology and this concept was referenced almost 2,500 years ago.
But even Zinn acknowledges that this is a working definition of the concept of mindfulness. For those who are new to this, it’s best to break it down into terms we can all understand. It’s about creating a central awareness to each thought, sensation or feeling we have. And experiencing these things with a present state of mind, removed of any judgement.
It’s about acceptance.
The effect of mindfulness
Mindfulness allows us to change or modify how we respond to experiences and events.
Space is created around these things, and our place in the world is humbled and rationalised. This means we’re less reactive, and more realistic with our perspectives.
Mindfulness is seen as a state of, well, mind, rather than a personality trait despite it possibly altering the person you used to be.
Benefits of reaching a mindful state are:
- Reduced needless worrying (or rumination)
- Improved working memory
- Stress reduction
- Improved focus
- Relationship satisfaction
- Improved cognitive abilities such as increased self-awareness
- Empathy
- Compassion
- Increased resilience
How to practice mindfulness
If you’re new to practicing mindfulness, it’s good to remember why you’re doing it and what you hope to achieve.
There are many ways to practice it, and it’s quite a personal thing – what works for you, might not help someone else reach a place of stillness.
A good place to begin is to sit comfortably, in a quiet space. Relax and notice what your body is doing – its breathing pattern, how you’re sitting, how your hands are placed.
Focus your breathing and notice when your mind wanders from your breathing pattern. You might feel strange at first. We humans can be very self-conscious, but it’s about pushing past that.
You can even try going for a walk in nature; colouring in; taking a break in the day just to sit down and journaling. Mindfulness can look like many things, not just sitting with your legs crossed on your bedroom floor.
Mindfulness at KCG
Creating a safe, quiet space is key for mindfulness practice. Some of our clients find it hard to find solitude or a place to call their own. This can make ‘taking some time for you’ difficult.
In The Hub, our community space, we’ve created a group specifically for women (to start with) to practice mindfulness. This can either be as a group practice, or as an individual one.
Yasmin, a pivotal member of the Kimberley Care Group team, has set up our women’s group which prioritises mindfulness. It’s a place to take a break, relax, and speak to one another. But it’s also a place for peace and to seek self-awareness (physically and mentally).
When Yasmin started this group, “mindfulness was one of the first things [she] thought of.”
“We can all feel so overwhelmed with life at time; taking time to practice some mindfulness can be so beneficial to our overall wellbeing.”
Creating a safe space within our community at the heart of KCG (The Hub), allows our female clients to socialise or practice meditation with “no pressure or judgement, and [they] also have the opportunity to connect with other women in their community”.
Our mindfulness space occurs every Wednesday.
If you’d like to hear about what else we’re getting up to in the Broome community, be sure to check out our Instagram and Facebook.
References:
Kabat J Zinn, J. (1994). Wherever you go, there you are: Mindfulness meditation in everyday life. New York: Hyperion Books
https://headspace.org.au/explore-topics/for-young-people/mindfulness/