The practice of mindfulness meditation is essentially the practice of mindfulness, which is by nature a form of meditation. Mindfulness is meditation regardless of what you are doing-be it sitting, standing, walking, breathing, or any activity in daily life. Mindfulness meditation practice is no more than the presence of mindfulness in all our human activity.
Mindfulness exists by degrees, for one can by relatively mindful or extremely so. It is a measure of the quality and quantity of attention and aliveness. It is the act of being present and alert. It cannot be measured externally, though there are likely studies that show heart-rate changes and stress reduction. It is a subjective experience and is measured by ourselves for how grounded and present we allow ourselves to be.
Because mindfulness does not depend on any posture, movement, or anything else, other meditation practices may include the practice of mindfulness. Not all do. Guided meditation, in particular, aimed at relaxation, encourages the one meditating to take a break from the tensions and stress of daily life. This practice is more about being distracted and allows one to rest in the wisdom of the body- a similar experience to that of sleep.
One might argue that by escaping the stress and anxiety of one's prevailing thoughts we might automatically more deeply experience the moment. Our cells may have a deeper experience, but in order for us to be present in our experience we must be a conscious participant-to witness without interfering. This is the key- to allow nature while being present to enjoy it. Compare guided and unguided meditation practices.
Even the effort to be mindful can undermine mindfulness which is the argument behind non-doing meditation practice and no mind meditation practice. We must get out of our own way. We must drop desire-our insistence that we can somehow improve what is going on by force, when the only way to improve what is going on is to enjoy it. What other choice do we have?
Mindfulness Meditation Interviews
I have spoken (or rather conducted several interviews) with individuals who consider their practice one of mindfulness. All of the interviews conducted for this site are done by email. Unlike a dictionary-style description of the practice, these interviews offer intimate details that can only come from direct experience. If you meditate and consider it a mindfulness meditation, please consider contributing by participating in a meditation interview.
Types and Forms of Meditation
Mindfulness meditation is only one of many types of meditation. Other styles or ways of meditating include sitting meditation, standing meditation, bowing meditation, and kneeling meditation. These forms focus on the position and activity (or inactivity) of the body. Other forms of meditation, less associated with the body's position (though activity-related) are breathing meditation, koan practice, empty mind meditation, insight meditation, and tantra meditation.
With the multitude of forms and approaches, one might ask what meditation is, or even what is the point of meditation. Practically anything can become a form of meditation, including surfing as meditation, art and drawing as meditation, running as meditation, life as meditation, and guided relaxation-style meditations on CD or DVD. Anything can be meditative.
Ask Questions about Meditation
If you have any nagging questions in regard to any practice of meditation, please consider posing them to this blog at this link: questions about meditation.
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