Introduction to Mindfulness_349810_bookemon_ebook.pdf Coaching and Practising Mindfulness | Page 13

What is Mindfulness?
Have you ever started eating a snack bar, taken a couple of bites, then
noticed all you had left was an empty packet in your hand? Or been
driving somewhere and arrived at your destination only to realize you
remember nothing about your journey? Most people have! These are
common examples of "mindlessness," or "going on automatic pilot."
In our modern, busy lives, we constantly multi task. Its easy to lose
awareness of the present moment as when we become lost in our
efforts to juggle work, home, finances, and other conflicting
demands.
As humans we are often "not present" in our own lives. We often fail
to notice the good things about our lives, fail to hear what our bodies
are telling us, or poison ourselves with toxic self critics.
Human minds are easily distracted, habitually examining past events
and trying to anticipate the future. Becoming more aware of our
thoughts, feelings and sensations may not sound like an obviously
helpful thing to do, however learning to do this in a way that
suspends judgment and self-criticism can have an incredibly positive
impact on our lives.
Mindfulness means being attentive to whatever you are doing when
you are doing it. By settling your attention on whatever is happening
in the present moment, you gradually calm your mind, and relax your
body.
With your awareness grounded in the present moment, you are less
vulnerable to being drawn into negative rumination about the past or
the future.
You begin to see what is actually happening in the here and now.

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