The Meaning of Mindful Meditation

Whether or not you practice the specific techniques, mindful meditation is crucial to the human experience of life. Isn't this an over-the-top claim? Not at all. A mindful attitude is vital whether you meditate or not.

Here's why...

Mindful means detached, meditation means awareness. The meaning of mindful meditation is then obviously detached awareness.

Sounding so distant and cold, how can practicing detachment be any good?

If you're at work, stressed out about a looming deadline, a recent argument with a colleague, juggling five tasks at once, or all of the above...

Smart detachment brings you into real-time awareness and to the task you're performing by detaching your awareness from all of the above, and shifting it to the actual task at hand.

Further, smart awareness involves a detached, non-judgmental attitude. This allows you to see the natural state of things and people beyond habitual perspectives and how you want to see things and people.

You open up to unexpected opportunities and alternative courses of action...

You listen, observe, and take action, step in – act – step out.

We're here talking about mentally stepping in and out while you're taking care of business, not salsa dancing in your office or living room.

Still, if you're e.g. stuck writing an article, bleary-eyed and inches away from the computer screen, physically pulling back, reclining in your chair, or getting up for a few minutes may be enough for you to mentally step away from the problem and see the solution.

Think about a fly bumping its head against a window trying to break through. If the fly were smart, it should soon realize that the approach is useless and stressful, detach itself from the window and search for an alternative route...

Perhaps there's an open door, another window, perhaps the fly could benefit from relaxing in the fruit bowl for a few minutes...

And if the fly were to observe and listen, perhaps another fly was headed for, or talking about, an unexpected exit.

Humans have the potential for smart actions. Being mindful, we bring out that potential.

Developing a non-judgmental attitude is a powerful skill for success in life and business. It is also a necessary skill in order to relax and enjoy any meditation technique.

The meaning of mindful meditation does not imply that you have to sit on a mountain and meditate. On the contrary. It simply means that you remain detached and observe your internal and external environment...

Thoughts and sensations become natural, relaxing parts of your life experience, not unwanted or annoying distractions.

You empower yourself with wise compassion instead of fighting against yourself, blinded by stupid anger.

The meaning of mindful meditation implies dynamic movement of awareness from one point of focus to another, and another, and so on, while patiently observing how the many interconnected pieces of any puzzle may or may not seem to fit in together.

Smart detachment means relaxing awareness - smooth, dynamic, and intelligent concentration/mantra.

We're now going to turn to how mantra meditation - attached, concentrated awareness - interacts with mindful meditation, and how to learn and greatly benefit from both types of awareness.



Return from the meaning of Mindful Meditation to Learning Meditation.

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