Mindfulness Changes the Brain

Mindfulness is the quality of being fully engaged in the present moment, without analyzing or otherwise “over-thinking” the experience. Rather than worrying about the future or dwelling on the past, mindfulness meditation switches the focus to what’s happening right now!

So many of us humans walk around all day long complaining, and moaning about what is not right in their lives. How it could be so much better and how "if I only had of done it like this, this would not be happening" Everyday living with regret from something in the past or we are anxious about what is about to happen in our futures. We get stressed and argue over things that hasn't occurred. Our fear of the unknown drives us into panic mode before we can even experience the benefits of change that may or may not lead us into our destiny. Humans have become so detached from their center (soul). The mind that we all share has become distorted with illusions of the past and the future. What is happening right now?! Do we have the strength to overcome ego and pride to awaken to the present; to be more mindful of our neighbor, to our selves? If we can, our brains would reinvent themselves with each newborn birth. We would be happier people on a peaceful earth.

"mindfulness"-- meditation or prayer actually changes the brain – strengthening the areas associated with joy and relaxation, and weakening those involved in negativity and stress.

For stress relief, try the following mindfulness meditation/prayer techniques:

* Body scan –

Body scanning cultivates mindfulness by focusing your attention on various parts of your body. Like progressive muscle relaxation, you start with your feet and work your way up. However, instead of tensing and relaxing your muscles, you simply focus on the way each part of your body feels without labeling the sensations as either “good” or “bad”. Good' and 'bad' are illusions that force us to choose. With a mindful body scan of yourself, there is no choosing because everything is equal. Everything is one. No separating anything of yourself with the outside labels. This behavior stems from the ego and is not allowed. The body is one whole unit. You envision blood flowing u your feet through each limb and into you crown (head). Feel for the sensation that is different from the whole. If you single out pain, call it to join the rest of your body so that you will be complete and relaxed. Body scanning is helpful in so many ways especially to calm down after crying or being in a heated argument. It gives you an opportunity to go inside yourself and refocus each part of your being into a poised and controlled spirit. You can read more on Body Scanning online. It is a great way to stay mindful and change your brain so that all you know is good.

* Walking meditation/prayer -

How many of us get into our daily workout routines (those that do workout), and have on headphones, television or radio blasted thinking it will make your routine go faster and painless? If you are a spiritual person and you go to pray the same prayer over and over. You know the scriptures or bible study prayer so well you use it in almost everything you pray about? You are not being mindful. You use Jesus wept when you sleep eat and pray for someone? You get my drift. Sometimes specific prayers must be contemplated on to fit the circumstance in which you pray for. If you want to lose 40lbs you must approach working out differently than if you are trying to tone up your muscles.When you are being mindful, you are not just going through these motions you will not be blind to superficial reasoning as to why you are doing them. And because you have become so integrated into them, they no longer effect the workings of the brain. These practices are the most universal activity of humankind. We use these to relieve stress, build self-esteem, confidence, our faith and courage. We attempt to make peace within our beings when we pray and meditate or exercise. We must be mindful while doing these for the greatest feeling of peace can come from doing them effectively and consistently.

Example, Description of how to be mindful in prayer, meditation or exercise. Lose the earphones!

You don’t have to be seated or still to pray/meditate. In walking, mindfulness involves being focused on the physicality of each step — the sensation of your feet touching the ground, the rhythm of your breath while moving, and feeling the wind against your face.

* Mindful Eating –

Again and again we choose foods that are pleasurable. The guilt food that makes us happy when your eating it, but feel like crap after you are done. More often than not that choice of food is usually unhealthy high in salts, sugars and starch. We either overeat or we under eat and that balance can be detrimental to our long term health. We rush by the clock daily, just to see if we have just enough time to find a cup of coffee and doughnut to avoid being late for our jobs. We labor 8 or more hours until we can get our next full meal of the day. During all the exciting things that life brings we take our food intake for granted the most. You should already know why you eat yet there is no time to stop and think about how you eat. You are just eating, doing what your physical nature does. If you reach for food when you’re under stress or gulp your meals down in a rush, try eating mindfully. Sit down at the table and focus your full attention on the meal (no TV, newspapers, or eating on the run). Eat slowly, taking the time to fully enjoy and concentrate on each bite. Taste each of the savory juices as it flows onto your taste buds and down your throat. Try to chew at least 50 times before you swallow. Trying this for the first time, I was shocked at how much longer it took me to finish a meal. You will be surprised just how fast you are eating your food also. Eating your food mindfully gives your body time to breakdown the molecules of the food and digestion is aided by the salivation that is excretes while you chew. The more you chew the more of this chemical is stimulated for smoother digestion. There are so many health reasons for one to pay close attention to how he eats. A lot of misdiagnosed victims could have saved themselves a doctor bill if only they've eaten mindfully.

remember living is only now. there is no future, there is no past. there is only NOW. We create our past from right now as well as our futures, yet neither one of them is happening NOW. 'Mindfulness' is not equal to zoning out. It takes EFFORT to maintain your concentration and to bring it back to the present moment when your mind wanders or you start to drift off.

Mastering mindfulness is really hard work. Many who master it are priests, monks, and nuns mostly, but all of us have the capabilities to learn these mindful ways to begin our journey to happier, more appreciative lives. I believe that these few suggestions will change someone's life significantly. Once your brain changes there is no going back to complaining, and worrying things that have not yet occurred or things from your past. Next month is not here yet so why worry now? Your whole attitude about how to cope with your surroundings will flip and you will not be so easy to anger. We all need a few brain changers and be mindful, I may have just changed yours some.

Blessings.

Please try these mindful exercises, you won't regret it.

P.O.T.N.A.