Third Post: Don't Mind Your Mindfulness

What is Mindfulness - Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn

1. How does Dr. Kabat-Zinn define mindfulness?
He defines it as purposely paying attention to the present moment non-judgmentally as if your life depends on it, allowing you to connect better with your life. It doesn't involve a lot of energy

2. Why, according to Dr. Kabat-Zinn, does our "life depend" upon mindfulness?
Attention is what allows us to navigate our lives. It allows us to have wiser relationships with things going on in our lives.

3. Does it matter what thing or things you pay attention to?
No, it is the attending of your thoughts that matters.

4. Is Mindfulness a technique?
It is not a technique. It is a way of being--being embodied, and aware of the world.


All it Takes is 10 Mindful Minutes - Andy Puddicombe

1. What does Andy suggest we "do" for at least 10 minutes each day?
He suggests we do nothing. He wants us to take a moment with no distractions or anything.

2. According to the Harvard study cited by Andy, what % of time are our minds lost in thought?
47%

3. Is Mindfulness about controlling our thoughts and feelings? If yes, explain. If not, explain.
No, it is about letting your thoughts flow on their own. It is being in the here and now. It is letting the present moment take you and not judging any of it. Your mind has to be focused and relaxed at the same time.

4. How does Andy's juggling with the three red balls relate to our activity of balancing sticks?
Just as Andy has to be focused and relaxed at the same time to juggle the three balls, so do we. He also demonstrates how uneasy the juggling became when he was too focused or too relaxed.


Don't Mind My Mindfulness

For this activity, I sat cross-legged on my couch. I had to turn on relaxing music (Bon Iver), since my neighbors were throwing a Super Bowl party. In the first couple of minutes, my mind was flooding with thoughts, some very emotional. Then my mind became more empty. I focused on my breath and the music. Once my alarm when off, I shut it off right away and took 5 more minutes. I started imagining wonderful, present places I could be like, in a sunny forest with leaves flying at me and my hair flying up in knots or just letting myself be covered in rain. (I did not however actually go outside and sit in the rain.) Overall, it was a nice mindful experience. I will definitely try this in the future, especially when my mind is going crazy.