I am giving a presentation on Thursday about developing mindfulness. In an American environment (the only one I know), it is easy to be too enthusiastic, too vigorously committed to being the most mindful person ever. The idea is to devote 5 to 10 minutes most days to sitting still and being quiet. During that time, meditation can be used to increase awareness of what is on the mind.
Three different approaches to using the tool of mediation to cozy up to one's mind are often outlined. One-point meditation tells us to focus on an anchor and notice whenever the mind drifts off the focus point. When noticing, the act of bringing the mind back to the focus IS the moment of brain and mind training we seek. So, in a way, drifting off into worries or hopes is a good thing since it gives a chance to train. Again, it is the moment of noticing that one is off the track that counts.
More advanced meditators can simply watch the mind's constantly shifting ideas and associations. "Insight meditation" can be interesting and helpful but there is the danger of getting off into thinking about making dinner or some other story/distraction. "Loving-kindness" meditation offers love and compassion and understanding and appreciation to one's self, one's loved ones and to all others.
The handout for my Thursday session is here:
https://sites.google.com/site/kirbyvariety/being-aware-of-our-minds-9-18-life
The handout is entitled "Being aware of our minds with acceptance" because so many people are trying to improve this or that. When I find that I am thinking improper or avaricious thoughts, I want to simply return to my focus without giving myself a lecture on what would be higher thoughts.
