Mindfulness Training

You’ve missed it – again.

It happened again. If you’re really being honest, it happens all the time.

There you are – right in the middle of something great – an important meeting, your child’s recital, an intimate moment with your partner – and suddenly, your mind is off to the races.

You lose touch with yourself – your body – and before you know it, anxiety is in control.

You’re obsessing about something else – something that happened earlier in the day – or maybe something that you’re afraid will happen.

And just like that – you’ve missed it.

Seize the moment.

The good news? You don’t have to resign yourself to living in your head and being controlled by your thoughts of the past and future while neglecting the present.

Through mindfulness, you can learn to process thoughts in a non-judgmental, objective way and become more grounded in the present moment, where you can live consciously, aware that each moment you breathe is a gift.

The word “mindfulness” evokes the image of mystics and angelic looking hippies posed in the lotus position. In reality, the practice of mindfulness is more akin to developing a muscle in the gym through consistent training. In this instance, the muscle is your brain.

How does it work?

Using mindfulness, you’ll learn to choose how you react to your thoughts without letting them take over.

Mindfulness meditation teaches you to focus on your breath and tune in to your senses and body. As you do this, you’ll notice individual thoughts as if they are train cars passing on a track. You can acknowledge each one without choosing to board the train and disappear into a land of worry and despair.

Mindfulness teaches you to remain in the moment. So much stress has to do with feeling bad about the past or worrying about the future. In reality, though, the only thing we have is the present. The philosopher Lao Tzu said, “If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.”

Through a consistent meditation practice, the parts of your brain devoted to attention and focus are enhanced while the portions devoted to emotional processing become less reactive. You’ll cultivate greater empathy and compassion – toward yourself and others – important byproducts of mindfulness training.

Greater self-compassion allows you to see your flaws or limitations without rejecting yourself and allows you to take steps toward change. Self-compassion can be a powerful tool when you feel stressed because it reminds you to be kind and sensitive to yourself and treat yourself the way you would a close friend facing similar circumstances.

A powerful tool – for everyone

Mindfulness training helps people experiencing a variety of psychological conditions such as chronic pain, depression, anxiety and addiction.

Moreover, almost anyone will benefit from mindfulness training and greater self-compassion.

Free your mind. Notice and accept your thoughts without judgment. Improve your attention and focus. Manage day-to-day stress better. Find peace and resilience.

Reach out today to experience mindfulness for yourself.

Call me at (214) 927-8456 to schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation.