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Introduction to Mindfulness - Dean Amory

Art and Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation

Art and Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation

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If your mind wanders away from the breath a thousand times, then<br />

your job is simply <strong>to</strong> bring it back <strong>to</strong> the breath every time, no matter<br />

what it becomes preoccupied with.<br />

Practise this exercise for fifteen minutes at a convenient time every<br />

day, whether you feel like it or not, for one week and see how it feels<br />

<strong>to</strong> incorporate a disciplined meditation practice in<strong>to</strong> your life. Be<br />

aware of how it feels <strong>to</strong> spend some time each day just being with<br />

your breath without having <strong>to</strong> do anything.<br />

Breathing Meditation 2 (Kabat-Zinn 1996)<br />

Tune in<strong>to</strong> your breathing at different times during the day, feeling<br />

the belly go through one or two risings and fallings.<br />

Become aware of your thoughts and feelings at these moments,<br />

just observing them without judging them or yourself.<br />

At the same time, be aware of any changes in the way you are<br />

seeing things and feeling about yourself.<br />

Meditation instruction: <strong>Mindfulness</strong> of breathing<br />

Sit in a comfortable but alert posture. Gently close your eyes. Take a<br />

couple of deep breaths, and, as you exhale, settle in<strong>to</strong> your body,<br />

relaxing any obvious tension or holding. Then, breathing normally,<br />

bring your awareness <strong>to</strong> your body, sensing for a short while how the<br />

body presents itself <strong>to</strong> you. There is no particular way <strong>to</strong> be; just<br />

notice how you are at this moment.<br />

Then, from within the body, as part of the body, become aware of<br />

your breathing, however it happens <strong>to</strong> appear. There is no right or<br />

wrong way <strong>to</strong> breathe while doing mindfulness practice; the key is <strong>to</strong><br />

simply notice how it actually is right now. Let the breath breathe<br />

itself, allowing it <strong>to</strong> be received in awareness. Notice where in your<br />

body you feel the breath most clearly. This may be the abdomen<br />

rising and falling, the chest expanding and contracting, or the tactile<br />

sensations of the air passing through the nostrils or over the upper<br />

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