Mindfulness can be practised by anyone irrespective of any faith or religion

A  beautiful life is not stumbled upon rather it is built. It not only allows many alternative views to how one looks at an experience but also allows the individual to go beyond the capabilities of someone who is mindless. Mindfulness is the key to having an adventurous and exciting life. Mindfulness in its simplest form means being able to pay attention to the present moment, without judgment and criticism. Life without mindfulness is no life at all.

The origin of mindfulness is rooted in Buddhist philosophy and practice tradition which is more than two and a half thousand years old. However, this does not mean it is only for monks or priests rather it is a way of connecting with the natural quality of awareness and presence which all human beings have. Mindfulness can be practiced by anyone irrespective of any faith or religion and involves training the mind and doesn’t enforce any religious belief system. When an individual gets blinded by their success it begins to change their perspective on their relationships with their peers, friends and families. The individual develops a false impression that their circle needs them more than they do.

Mindfulness means non-judgemental awareness i.e., knowledge of what is going on inside and outside ourselves, moment by moment. Various research has shown that meditation is a type that encourages mindfulness and can improve many aspects of individuals' lives. Some people just live on autopilot when in reality there are so many amazing things in our daily surroundings that are meant to be noticed. Being mindful and becoming more aware of the present moment means noticing the sights, smells, sounds and tastes that one experiences as well as the thoughts, feelings and sensations that occur from one moment to the next. A strong impact is made on health and overall well-being by what and how an individual thinks and feels, how they talk to themselves and what views they take about what’s happening in and around them.

Mindfulness is the practice of purposely focusing an individual’s attention on the present moment and accepting it without judgment. It is today, one of the most talked about developments in human psychology and innumerable researches are being undertaken across the globe to understand its positive effects and implications.

What mindfulness does is that it allows an individual to reduce their stress and anxiety related to issues in the past or anticipated issues in future? It helps to recognize that it is the present - ‘the now’ that is more important than any other moment. Remember, a person becomes what he surrounds himself with. Energies are contagious. So, one should choose carefully as it’s the individual’s chosen environment that makes or destroys them.

(The writer is an educator)