We are often drawn towards the familiar, even if that familiarity does not serve us.
Letting go of this familiarity often brings up discomfort. We know we can survive our current suffering. If we make a change, it may feel terrifying to risk that the “new” suffering might be "worse" than our current suffering.…
Have you ever noticed this?
Perhaps you are watching a suspenseful movie. Your heart begins to race, you are holding your breath as if you are in the movie itself. Perhaps you are in bed thinking of the day ahead tomorrow and all the things on your to-do list; meanwhile your stomach feels like…
Can you relate?
We do not like to suffer. Our brains are pre-programmed to keep us alive, to avoid danger, to survive. Our natural human instinct is to seek out nothing but happiness, while trying not to feel anything unpleasant.
Underneath the desire to cling onto pleasant feelings, there may be an underlying fear of…
Cycle of Mindfulness
Awareness in the present moment (e.g. breath, body, sounds). Mind becomes distracted (e.g. thoughts, sounds, judgements). Noticing the distraction and your reaction to it (e.g. self-criticism, frustration, impatience) Kind intention to bring your awareness to the here-and-now focus (e.g. back to the breath, body, sounds)
Mindfulness is a cycle. It is more…
Mindfulness - Instagram versus Reality
When we think of mindfulness, we might think of the first image – an image of feeling relaxed, at ease, calmness, quietness, enlightenment. However, the reality of mindfulness is more like the second image. Externally, we may look relaxed. However, the reality is that our minds can get distracted very…