What is Mindfulness?

 Mindfulness is a type of awareness, characterized by being aware of one’s thoughts, feelings, and senses in the present moment. Living mindfully in the present moment is a philosophy which wise people practice and encourage throughout their lives. It involves being aware of the present and all the sensations that accompany it—sights, sounds, smells, tastes, textures, and emotions. There is much to be gained from living in the present moment and being mindful of its importance; it helps keep our awareness and attention from being constantly pulled away from the immediate experience. 

Mindfully being in the present is incredibly important for awareness, for it provides us with insight about ourselves, the environment around us, others, and perhaps most importantly, the greater reality. Being aware of the present moment helps us understand our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors more comprehensively and accurately. This awareness is essential in order to properly adjust these aspects in order to achieve greater personal well-being. Awareness of the present can also help us to observe and take in our environment more deeply, allowing us to form a more potent connection to the world around us and appreciate its beauty, both mental and physical. 

The truth is often only accessible in the present moment. It is not accessible through our thoughts, as they can be filled with biases and illusions; nor is it accessible through our memories, as memories can be colored and manipulated over time. The only way to truly find true reality is to be aware of the present moment. Being aware of the present moment allows us to truly perceive reality, for it comes with an open-minded and unbiased attitude toward the situation or experience. 

We can become aware of the present by pausing, resting, and tuning out the chaos of the external world and tuning into the depths of our inner world. We can then observe the present moment in all its entirety, to recognize our thoughts, feelings, and emotions as they are in that moment, without any need to lash out or escape. We can also use this awareness to witness our environment, to break away from constant judging, and instead experience the world with a sense of curiosity, softness, and acceptance. 

Living in the present moment and being mindful of the importance of the present moment, is profoundly important for increased awareness. Through this awareness, we can deepen our understanding of reality, ourselves, and the environment. Living in the present puts us in a place of complete understanding, allowing us to accept and truly appreciate the beauty of life, however chaotic, in that very instant.

It involves accepting and being present in the here and now, without judgment. It has proven to be a beneficial practice both in personal and professional settings as it helps to improve mental health, clarity of thought and a sense of wellbeing.

However, even with its many potential benefits, mindfulness is not a field of study or practice that should be taken lightly. It takes dedication and hard work to reach a higher level of psychological, emotional and physical renewal. There are a number of obstacles or hindrances of mindfulness that can prevent someone from achieving the desired level of benefits.