Janet Alston Jackson
author/speaker
Mindfulness
for
Better Relationships with
Self and Others
What Is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness meditation is a wonderful practice, to help you live in the moment. Unlike
traditional meditation, you don’t have to sit quietly. You can practice Mindfulness standing on a busy street corner waiting for the light to change, in a noisy grocery store, washing dishes, or even talking to someone. You Can practice it anywhere at any time.
Being mindful or being mindful,is being aware of the present moment, without judging, criticizing, or analyzing. You simply observe the moment in which you find yourself.
You become the witness, an impartial observer instead of being entangled in thoughts and emotions that don't serve you. Stress is then released, and you will find more clarity in life, and freedom from suffering
Is Mindfulness a religion?
No. It is an ancient wisdom practice Buddha founded 2,500 years old to help release suffering. However, some say the Hindus practiced various meditations before Buddha was born, which had Mindfulness aspects.
Today Mindfulness is taught in hospitals, and clinics across the country to help people deal with many things, including stress, addictions, pain, emotional illnesses and more. The practice is now mainstream with everyone from athletes, the military, parents, and business executives.
Why is it so important to live mindfully?
Most of us live our lives thinking about the future, or thinking about the past where our fears live, and never fully enjoy or appreciate where we are in the present moment. In the here and now is wherore you will find that you are whole, perfect and complete.
Practicing Mindfulness will help you to tap into peace and happiness. You don’t have to get or find happiness and peace. They are your natural states, already inside of you.
You may think, “Why don’t I feel happy and peaceful if they are present inside of me?”
That’s because they are covered over by thoughts, beliefs and memories which are often toxic. It’s natural to have these thoughts and feelings. However, you don’t want to be a slave to them. You can learn from them and move on. Mindfulness helps you do that and release suffering.
The great thing is the practice can help you become aware of those toxic thoughts and emotions. You can just observe what you are feeling without judgment or criticizing yourself. Amazingly, when you become aware, those worrisome, frustrating states dissolve. And it helps you to see that nothing is permanent, not even those overwhelming depressing and anxiety ridden states, which is an important Mindfulness lesson.
You can simply observe what has kept you stuck, without aversion or attachments. Eventually, they leave on their own, and often instantly.
* NOTE: If you are going through treatment for physical issues, please do not change your medicine or regimen without consulting your medical practitioner. The Mindfulness exercises are emotional support. It is also important if you believe you have a physical or mental challenge that may require professional help, consult a practitioner before beginning the practices in this book.
The Mindfulness Practice
The more you practice Mindfulness the easier it becomes, and you feel more comfortable being who you are. It’s not something you do once or twice to feel good. This is why this journal was created to help you keep up the practice so you start living your entire life mindfully.
Scientific studies show that Mindfulness practice like other meditations, actually changes your brain. What does that mean to you? When stressful situations occur in your life, the peace you get from meditation helps you to deal with stress. You no longer are simply reacting to life. You
develop greater control over how you respond to your thoughts and emotions and others around you.
With Mindfulness, you don’t have to act on your thoughts. Just be aware of them. The first law of science, is “Whatever is observed, changes.”
Benefits of Mindfulness:
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Reduces stress, depression, and anxiety
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Helps you to be kind and understanding to yourself
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Brings you into a state of awareness
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Calms the mind
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Helps to release fears and worry
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Increases your concentration
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Improves relationships with others
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Strengthens the immune system
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Improves your health
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Lowers blood pressure
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Improves sleep
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Reduces chronic pain
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Helps with addictions
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Reconnects you to your Higher Self
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Increases patience
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Frees you from old programs
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Releases attachments
What Mindfulness Practice Is Not
Some may happen automatically
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Trying to get a special feeling
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Cultivating special powers
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About having visions
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Trying to change feelings
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Controlling how you feel
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Controlling how you think
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Getting rid of a habit