Practice mindfulness: a technique to reduce stress and suffering

Mindfulness means to be aware of reality without any traces of emotions, predisposition or attachment in it. Mindfulness becomes a second nature to those who practice it diligently. People across the world have benefited from this technique in their efforts to reduce stress and live a fulfilling life. A section of people find it helpful to feel a sense of gratitude. Such people are able to reduce the number of bad vibes they usually have in their day to day life.

Buddhism can be summarized in two words – practice mindfulness. To be mindful is to be alert of all changes occurring in your body and mind. Many people know it as acceptance and awareness of the situation at hand. Stress is direct result of a conflicting situation in human mind. Such conflicts are harmoniously resolved through acceptance. Mind broadcasts scores of ideas in a short duration of time. So it is advisable to find a quiet place and concentrate on the present moment. Thoughts will arrive in chunks and leave when they are resolved. Just be aware of these thoughts and make no conscious effort to manipulate them. If you feel confused by a noise within, concentrate on your breathing and observe yourself blinking your eyes.

When you are not at a quiet place, keep yourself aware of emotions that come and go, events that happen around you and sensations in your body. More you watch, more you will find yourself in the present. Often stress is result of you focussing on uncertain future or painful experiences of the past. Whereas you can leave all the worries about work at office, you often embrace suffering because you carry it along. Practice mindfulness and you will always be aware that suffering is optional.

As you make some serious efforts to be mindful of yourself, the ‘new you’ will find beautiful and joyful things around you. Earlier you had taken all this beauty and joy for granted because your mind was occupied by stress. When you are coping with stress, whisper positive affirmations and ask yourself if you have a choice to live this moment happily. Such affirmations are very helpful to reduce stress because you feel a sense of control over yourself.

A distillation of perceived ideas, personal experiences and immediate impressions in any situation will provide you with a meaning free from fears of past and doubts of future. Stress and suffering finds no home in the body or mind of one who practices mindfulness. In order to reduce stress permanently, be mindful in all that you do. Be mindful when you talk to your colleague, brush your teeth or take your dog out for a walk. Let your colleague enjoy your company. Brush all the surfaces of your teeth properly. Play or talk to your dog when you are out. Live in the moment. Your mindfulness will help you to get rid of inner chatter which often results in stress.

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This article was first published on Triond. Here is the link. I will keep publishing articles on various topics there. Here is the list of articles. [ there is my profile too, bear with it ]