What mindfulness isn't

I think it’s important to explain what mindfulness isn’t. It isn’t sitting cross legged in a zen like state with no thoughts appearing in your mind at all. Firstly being cross legged on the floor isn’t comfortable for most people!

Secondly we all have thoughts, a fairly constant stream of them. Often by trying to ignore of push them away they just get louder. Instead you could choose to treat them kindly, say they aren’t needed now and watch them drift away again. Like watching that train leave the station, or a leaf float on past you down a river.

Mindfulness also isn't necessarily "meditation"; whilst it can be that mindfulness is a much broader range of way of engaging with your inner world, or the outer world around you. If you are paying attention, kindly and non-judgementally, to somethings that's going on right now, in the moment, you are practicing mindfulness.

You also don't have to be in a specific posture or place to practice mindfulness. Whilst it can help to have a certain spot you use for practice at home as your body and brain learn it's a space for gentleness and calm, mindfulness really can be done anywhere. I love practicing mindfulness out in nature; whilst seated or walking. I also find it very useful to do mindfulness practice in busy or stressful situations.

Mindfulness is a practice, gradually changing our brains; and it really does change the structure of our brains and how the brain regions connect to each there over time. So gradually we can find it easier and easier to just be; to be less reactive, a bit less stressed or overwhelmed, and show ourselves a little more care and gentleness.