“Insight cannot be taught or learned, but the consciousness that gives rise to insight can be developed. Trying to teach insight without transforming consciousness is like trying to create apples without growing apple trees.” — Robert Kegan

 

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According to Psychology Today:

“Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you’re mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience.”

The practice of mindfulness has repeatedly shown to be an effective tool which can provide many benefits to your emotional and physical health, as well as to your relationships.

When you learn to become mindful, you purposefully practice becoming more fully aware of the present moment in a mindset of non-judgment. You experience the present, the “now,” as it occurs rather than dwelling in the past or projecting into the future.

Most people can achieve benefits from mindfulness practice, and though it does take practice and consistency,  the techniques are easy to learn. Mindfulness has its origins in Eastern philosophy and Buddhism, however, a person from any belief system can practice mindfulness and mindfulness does not infringe upon any religious tenets.

Now a recognized as a beneficial alternative and complementary healthcare treatment, mindfulness programs are applicable for many individuals, for a broad ranges of issues, and for simply attaining a more focused, peace-filled existence.

Examples of therapeutic programs include:

Mindful Awareness and Resilience Skills for adolescents dealing with chronic pain, chronic illness and depressive symptoms.
Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction for disruption of distracting and ruminating thoughts and behaviors.
Mindfulness-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for depression.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help one become aware of and understand thought patterns.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy for borderline personality disorder.

 

Written by Michelle Sicignano, LMSW

 

(Originally published on: http://michellesicignano.com)