Practicing Mindfulness - A Simple Approach To A Peaceful life

• If you are someone who is intrigued by human behaviour, psychology, dynamics of a relationship, personality development and the like and love reading about them. Then I am sure you must have heard about "mindfulness". Even if you haven't, this article will orient you a little about it.The term mindfulness is believed to originate from a Pali term Sati, which is an important Buddhist concept and its Sanskrit counterpart Smriti. It finds its source in Hindu and Buddhist religion. Though modern day mindful meditation does not necessarily involve religious aspects, even the non-religious equally practise it.  
• Mindfulness is described as being present in the moment and experience it non-judgementally. It is a very simple concept of being aware of the present moment. At any given moment, if you try to listen to the little voice in your head or the stream of thoughts passing in your mind, you'll observe that it is either reminiscing or regretting about the past or is anticipating or worried about the future. We are habituated to live our lives in the past or in the future and in the process we forget to appreciate the NOW. Most of the people who are suffering from mental agony, depression, anxiety, irritability, nervousness, guilt or remorse are either functioning in the past or in future. Because when we are present to the moment that we are experiencing with all our senses, it is a different surreal feeling and a state of true bliss. 
• A lot of research has been conducted on the topic of mindfulness. The research studies have revealed numerous, astounding benefits of practising mindfulness.To list few, mindful meditation has proven to reduce stress, improve concentration, enhance cognitive functioning, improve emotional intelligence, greater relationship satisfaction, improved physical and psychological health, higher efficiency in work, happy mood, etc,. 
• Despite the fact, that we all are aware of benefits of meditation and exercise of any sort, setting aside those 15-20 minutes in our fast-paced, tight-packed schedule seems to be an impossible feat. Even, I am not asking you to find yourself a quiet place,  sit in a lotus position with eyes closed and a room filled with the fragrance of jasmine incense. All I am asking you to do is be more mindful as you go by living each day.

I have created a list of activities we do each day mindlessly and from now on we are going to be more mindful of it.

 

1. Feel the softness of your pillow when you wake up.

2. Taste the toothpaste as you brush your teeth.

3. Observe the lather on your hands while you wash your hands with the soap.

4. Roll your head clockwise and feel the muscles in your neck moving.

5. Sip your morning tea, coffee, milk and feel its taste.

6. Give your loved one a mindful hug.

7. Feel your feet slide into your shoes.

8. Look up at the sky and observe the different shades of the sky.

9. Place your hand on your chest and focus on your breath.

10. Notice different colours around you.

11. Smell your food and try to sniff in the aroma of different spices.

12. Acknowledge a thought you have been having regularly.

13. Play with your children or pets with full attention.

14. Listen to someone speak with an intent of listening to them and not replying.

15. When you pour water from a filter to your glass, observe how the water falls and fills the glass.

16. If you don't write physically on a paper, grab a pen and a paper and write something and notice how you form words.

17. Notice something beautiful about each person you see today.

18. Notice one emotion you are feeling.

19. Listen to a song, and try to hear the instruments.

20. Write down three things you are grateful for about today.

The things listed above are simple, everyday rituals that we perform automatically, pay attention to them. You'll observe a shift in your mood too. I hope you'll try these small things throughout the day and feel more alive and fresh. I'd love to hear your experience from practising mindfulness.