Mediation is a broad term used to define varied aspects of seeking specific intentions through breath work, and/or a focused concentration control or release. An oxymoron to those that are learned as to the varying aspects and intentions of specific meditations and mindfulness practices. Today, I will discuss more depth for mindfulness and the variables or potential results from specific intentions for increased practice efficacy. First, However, I must offer a brief summation for the differences in a generalized sense for more awareness of the many different styles and intentions of the broad terms meditation or mindfulness, two terms often confused and integrated by faux gurus, and trainers acting well outside of their scope of practice competence.
Meditation generally is divided into three varying distinctions (each division also breaks down for more depth and specificity but that is too long to list for purposes of this blog post).
Meditation – Seeking to connect to the void – the nothing, a blank space for all conscious and subconscious thought and feeling to become one with the ether, the void, the stillness or emptiness.
Mindful Meditation – Seeking to connect with the everything, the thoughts and feelings are free to flow openly, and the practitioner is encouraged to connect without judgment to the feelings and thoughts as the environment delivers such constructs for them to interact with. Mindful of the surroundings, the sounds, the smells, all of the sensory stimulus and the energy, or presence of feelings and/or thoughts (a distinct difference exists between a feeling and a thought).
Visualization Meditation – Seeking to focus on one specific thought or feeling at any given time – athletes, public speakers, and many other varied practitioners utilize this form of specific focus – intention to create a map or association so strong in the minds eye that the performance or action of the desired focus comes to fruition.
Again, these three divisions are highly generalized and commentary suggesting the constructs listed here as incomplete are surely applicable. Explore each form of meditation at your own need and purpose. Now on to the explanations into differentiating the term mindfulness as a meditation practice.
What do you want to become mindful of? Would you like to scan your body to become aware of the body’s status or disposition? Mindfulness scanning the body is an effective method of becoming in touch with what your body is saying to you. The key here is to remain relaxed and focused – do not apply judgments, simply feel and think as both the thoughts and feelings reveal to you. A spiritual mindfulness practice may lead one to interact with their Deity, or to examine their own depth of spirituality within any given personal ideology. Again, the key is to allow the forces to come into your mind, becoming more aware of the presence of each, stay unconditionally open to what is happening inside of you at the present moment. Reserve judgments until you begin to openly reflect on your mindfulness meditation experiences at a more conscious reckoning with your newfound awareness of internal dispositions or questions.
Other types of mindfulness include movement with a purpose – such as Kundalini Yoga, Tantra, or Qi Gong. Become mindful of the body and the mind integration with each movement and feelings, thoughts and physical consumption that take place from a subconscious – conscious integration point. Jung would postulate this is part of the collective unconscious as new movements manifest within each of us during our specific mindfulness explorations into the energy centers and meridian lines. Does curiosity, acceptance, and demeanor or reactionary response become associated for you as you mindfully understand the process and the correlations taking place.
The key for establishing a deep and powerful mindfulness practice is found in the acceptance of what is happening without real time adjudications, utilizing breath, movement, and integration of external and internal dispositions. One must fully open and become centered within themselves in order to gain from a mindfulness practice. This does not mean act on every impulse; it simply means that you begin to know who you are at the moment in time that you are feeling or thinking something specific to you. Self – Discovery leads to personal development and mindfulness for discovery is important.
Mindfulness for development is also an intention to consider. You see, the art of mindfulness and the skill of developing into an effective practitioner involves reflective thinking with critical thought but not during the practice itself. In other words, generally speaking – mindfulness is very individualized and how to practice can be discussed with you, but a guided meditation is something entirely different than interacting within your own mindfulness practice. Getting experience is difficult because we all need someone to show us how to begin, but most of the people doing so are now just modern-day snake oil salesman playing on feelings alone. Be sure to seek competent persons when starting out your own practice – and keep in mind (haha a little pun) – if it feels wrong (the advice from that person making you uncomfortable or doubtful), it probably is! You are not obligated to listen to people that you do not connect with! However, connecting with a fool is a connection that you must break away from also!