Mindfulness Meditation

Recently I’ve become interested in mindfulness meditation practice, and started participating in classes at UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center. These days, mindfulness meditation means a non-secular approach to becoming more present in the current moment, and using mediation techniques to reduce stress and relax. These articles will give you a sense of what I’m talking about.

My first real introduction to the techniques was MARC’s “Day of Mindfulness” workshop, in which we experienced different types of seated meditation, walking meditation, and even mindful eating. I expected to get bored or fall asleep, but surprised myself by remaining alert all day and enjoying myself immensely. The teacher, Diana Winston, was very gentle and supportive, and my fellow students all seemed like well-meaning, intelligent people who were keen to learn a new skill for coping with our busy world. I left the day feeling very relaxed and centered, vowing to start a mindfulness practice of my own.

I’ve managed to meditate a few times, and I’m finding that I miss it when I don’t do it. It helps me to concentrate on doing one thing at a time, and allows me to step back from stressful situations to relax for a moment and gain perspective. It really only takes a few minutes here and there throughout the day, and brings an important new skill to your life.