Discover the Path of Mindfulness: Embrace the Power of the Majestic 7 Pillars

I have heard about mindfulness from many people and have come across various definitions like these ones:

"Mindfulness is the practice of intentionally bringing one's attention to the present moment without judgment. It involves being fully aware of one's thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and the surrounding environment."

"Mindfulness is a way of living that involves bringing mindful awareness to every aspect of life, whether it's eating, walking, working, or interacting with others, fostering a greater sense of clarity, compassion, and wellbeing."

Recently I stumbled upon an article that introduced me to a new perspective on mindfulness—one that resonated deeply with me. It discussed the concept of the seven pillars of mindfulness, a framework developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, the founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. These pillars go beyond traditional meditation and encompass a set of attitudes that can truly transform the way we live. I found them to be enlightening and inspiring, and I would like to share them with all of you.

Let's start with the first pillar: TRUST. Trust plays a vital role in embarking on a mindfulness journey. When we begin practicing mindfulness, it can be challenging and frustrating. Our minds are often filled with endless thoughts, making it seem impossible to cultivate focused attention. It's important to remember that change takes time. Mindfulness requires us to challenge our ingrained thought patterns, which have been shaped over decades. It is not a quick fix, but by deepening our practice, we can start to notice a profound transformation. Mindfulness opens a window into our thoughts, allowing us to examine them from a distance. Through this process, we regain trust in our own intuition and learn to see through the fog of external influences.

?The second pillar is PATIENCE. Embracing mindfulness as a natural part of our lives is a gradual process. Our minds are wild and powerful, and attempting to force them into submission is futile. Instead, we need persistent and gentle training. Impatience may arise, especially when progress seems elusive or when our minds wander incessantly. It's crucial to understand that such challenges are intrinsic to the practice. Our minds may never achieve complete stillness, but with patience, we can learn to work with our thoughts rather than against them. Mindfulness is not a destination; it is a cycle that invites us to continuously return to ourselves and the present moment.

Embracing this cycle cultivates the next pillar: BEGINNER'S MIND. Imagine the wonder and curiosity of a child living in the present moment. They are not burdened by the past or preoccupied with the future. As adults, we often forget to think this way. We rely on past experiences to navigate our lives, but sometimes we lose touch with the present moment. We ruminate, compare ourselves to others, and let preconceptions cloud our vision. Mindfulness encourages us to spend more time anchored in the present, reconnecting with the familiar sensations we have experienced countless times before. By setting aside what we think we know and approaching each moment with the open and curious mind of a beginner, we can always discover something new.

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The fourth pillar, NON-JUDGEMENT is closely tied to approaching each moment with a beginner's mind. As humans, we possess remarkable pattern recognition skills. We instinctively categorise the world around us as good or bad, right or wrong, like or dislike. While these judgments help us make decisions, they can also make us rigid in our thinking. The world, however, is not binary. By constantly sorting everything into simplistic boxes, we overlook the nuances and shades of gray that make life interesting. Although we cannot turn off our judgmental tendencies, we can observe this automatic sorting process and let go of our judgments.

This paves the way for the next pillar: ACCEPTANCE. Acceptance involves acknowledging reality as it is—without judgment, sugar-coating, or spin. It requires us to be radically honest with ourselves. This process can be uncomfortable, as it often brings forth thoughts, feelings, and emotions that may be painful to confront. Sometimes, it feels easier to deny or ignore them rather than face them head-on. However, acceptance invites us to remove our filters and be fully present with our experiences. It does not mean resigning ourselves to mediocrity, but rather seeing things as they truly are before we can create change.

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NON-STRIVING, the sixth pillar, challenges our tendency to constantly focus on the future. While goal setting can be empowering, it can also lead to a perpetual sense of dissatisfaction. Always striving for the next achievement keeps us in a state of perpetual longing. We must pause and embrace the present moment to break free from this cycle. By doing so without judgment or preconceived notions, we can shift our perspective and find contentment with what is happening right now.

?The final pillar is LETTING GO. This skill begins with small steps during mindfulness practice. Each time we allow a thought or sensation to pass without clinging to it or reacting, we reinforce the idea that we do not need to hold on tightly to everything. We learn to observe our feelings as they arise and dissipate. This practice prepares us to let go of aspects of our lives that no longer serve us well. It also encourages us to loosen our grip on positive experiences, as clinging too tightly to them can hinder our personal growth and happiness. Letting go grants us the freedom to regain control of our lives.

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Incorporate these seven pillars of mindfulness into your daily life and witness the transformative power they hold. By embracing these attitudes, you can cultivate a deeper understanding and practice of mindfulness. Allow them to guide you as you navigate the complexities of life, bringing greater presence, acceptance, and clarity to each moment. Through the integration of these pillars, mindfulness becomes more than an abstract concept; it becomes a practical and empowering tool that can enhance your overall wellbeing and bring about positive change.