Being Present

Three concepts are tied up in the phrase “mindfulness meditation.” Meditation, mindfulness, and mindfulness meditation.

Let me start by talking about meditation in general. Many types of meditation are available, and mindfulness meditation is simply one.

Meditation is a technique used to train attention and awareness. Many things qualify as meditation, including movement practices such as yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and martial arts. Prayer is considered a type of meditation.

Meditating has many benefits; research says it doesn’t matter what type you use. In one study, meditating monks and praying nuns received the same benefits from their meditation or prayer. The only difference between the two groups seemed to be what they attributed the benefits to – meditation or prayer and individual belief systems.

Meditation is the vehicle we use to accomplish whatever goals we set for ourselves – to be more present and introspective, reduce stress, manage anxiety, manage pain and discomfort, get along better with others, or feel closer to what we consider divine.

Over my lifetime, I have practiced several types, including Silva Mind Control, Transcendental Meditation (TM), and mantra chanting. I can’t say that they really “took” the same way mindfulness meditation has. I experimented with these practices with not much benefit or positive outcome. In comparison, mindfulness meditation changed my life emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually.

Mindfulness is a way of life and being in the world. One could say it is our destination. We bring mindfulness into our daily lives to become more aware, present, and alive in the moment. Mindfulness teaches us acceptance of all our experiences, lessening our resistance to what is happening that we can’t change. Mindfulness is the product of a well-trained mind that is present, skillful, kind, loving, compassionate, and wise.

Mindfulness meditation is the practice of meditation that asks you to practice in a certain way – by being mindful of your experience from moment to moment. The practice of mindfulness meditation is the route that leads us to our destination, a mindful life. We learn to read maps and road signs along the route to ensure we are going in the right direction.

As a vehicle, meditation is the method or technique we use to get to our destination. It can take many forms, and we may wish to try different ways of meditating to find the one that best fits us. Just as we can use many other vehicles to take our trips. Mindfulness is a way of being in the world that helps us be present for what is happening, not being lost in the past or the future. It is our destination. Mindfulness meditation, as our route, guides our trip so we continue to move in the direction of our destination. The exercise or practice strengthens our mindfulness skills of being present in our lives.