|
|
| |
|
|
| |
What Is Mindfulness Meditation?
Mindfulness is a simple yet profound meditation practice that brings us fully into the present moment, restful yet alert. This is achieved by gently resting our awareness on an object of attention, such as our breath, our bodily sensations or our thoughts, and witnessing what is happening without judgement.
Mindfulness is a very ancient technique of meditation, dating back to the time of Gautama Siddhartha, the Buddha, around 600BC. It is also known as insight meditation, or as Vipassana in the Buddhist tradition. It helps us connect with that part of us which is a pure witnessing consciousness, a pure awareness. We remain wakeful, peaceful and in touch with our innate intelligence, yet able to transcend the constant chatter of our everyday thoughts and changing emotions. Anyone can benefit from mindfulness meditation and it is more of a psychological rather than a religious practice. It is currently being used in modern healthcare, for example to promote pain relief and freedom from anxiety and depression, and has been shown to induce deep states of relaxation on examination of brain wave function.
Modern science has established a wide range of positive effects, including:
· Relieving stress.
· Greater happiness and wellbeing.
· Better health and increased energy and vitality.
· Greater satisfaction in relationships.
· Increased mental performance, such as improved concentration, attention and creativity.
· Mastering our everyday thoughts and emotions, rather than being driven by them.
Insight for Wellbeing, based in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, West Yorkshire, is currently offering both introductory day courses for beginners and more advanced day classes in mindfulness meditation. To find out more about up and coming events please click here. |
|
|
|
|
|
