One thing we can do to improve our physical and mental health and overall well-being is practicing mindfulness.

What is Mindfulness and how do we get it?

Mindfulness is defined as, “the awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally to the unfolding of experience moment to moment”.

The Guest- House by Rumi

This being human is a guest-house every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrow, who violently sweep our house empty of its furniture.

Still, greet each guest honorably.  He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.

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There are 3 core elements of Mindfulness:

1. Intention:  This refers to one’s own vision or reason for practicing mindfulness.

2. Attention:  This refers to observing one’s experience as it is occurring the present moment.

3. Attitude:  This involves the nonjudgemental and open quality one brings to the moment by moment attention.

Mindfulness is a deep knowing and experiencing of what is taking place, as it is actually taking place, which arises out of consciously focusing on one’s moment by moment experience in an open and nonjudgemental way.

What can you do to practice mindfulness?

• Yoga
• Meditation
• Body Scan meditation

You can also practice mindfulness by being present and taking in each moment.  You can do this by intense focusing on what you are doing.  For instance, I am sitting on a chair at my desk.  One leg is bent with my foot under me, while the other leg is hanging off of the chair.  I feel the cold sensation of the chair under my foot.  I feel the tightness in my knee from sitting with my foot under my body.  I feel my fingers typing on the computer and I hear the cars driving around outside of my home.  I hear my cat purring. I feel the air of the air conditioning on my skin.

How will you practice mindfulness today?