Are Meditation and Mindfulness The Same Thing
No, Meditation and Mindfulness are not the same things. Meditation is a practice that has been used for centuries to regain composure, center yourself, and concentrate on things. It helps us to slow our minds so that we can truly focus.
What Are The Basic Differences Between Meditation And Mindfulness?
They are two different practices that have similar goals in mind-to-body awareness, health, relaxation and so much more. But meditation is a traditional practice whereas mindfulness is a modern one.
There are three main differences between meditation and mindfulness: the object of meditation (i.e., the focus), techniques used for meditation versus mindfulness, and where you do it.
Now that we know the basic differences between the two, let’s dive deeper.
What is Meditation?
Meditation, in the broadest sense, refers to any mental discipline that trains the mind or induces a mode of consciousness. A related term is contemplation, which generally regards meditation as a method to improve oneself or feel closer to others. Meditation is often practiced for religious, spiritual, or health purposes.
More specifically meditation may refer to:
- a spiritual practice that trains the mind and/or induces a particular mode of consciousness
- the deliberate use of meditation to train attentional abilities
- meditation may be said to consist primarily of sitting still for an extended period, either with or without movement while focusing on one’s breathing.
What Is The Purpose Of Meditating?
The purpose of meditation is to connect the mind with the body by thinking less so that you can feel more. The practice will help clear your mind of everyday stresses, worries, fears, and emotions. By clearing your mind you may become happier and healthier.
What Are Some Of The Benefits Of Meditation?
Meditation can help create a sense of peace, clarity, and well-being. Many meditation practitioners also experience improved concentration, focus, and creativity after meditation practice. As meditation focuses on the mind, it helps us to relax both our body and our thoughts.
It may have other positive effects on health such as lowering blood pressure or preventing heart disease.
How Often Should I meditate?
For meditation to be effective it needs to be done regularly. It cannot be something you do only when you are stressed out and then forget about it for days or weeks at a time. Like any other skill, meditation takes practice; the more you practice meditation, the better you’ll become at it.
What Is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a technique that teaches us to focus on our surroundings, people, and things around us by using meditation as an aid in training our focus.
It can be practiced anywhere at any time. In fact, it’s the most accessible meditation practice because there are no special requirements such as sitting in the lotus position or wearing loose clothing.
What Are Some Of The Benefits Of Mindfulness?
Some benefits of practicing mindfulness are increased self-awareness, better decision-making capacity, improved quality of sleep, and lower stress levels. What mindfulness does best is to teach you how to be aware continually; this mindfulness will allow you to better your life and the lives of those you love.
Can You Do Mindfulness Without Meditation?
Yes, you don’t need to sit and meditate to practice mindfulness and reap all of the benefits that come from meditation. Mindfulness is not the same thing as sitting meditation. Sitting meditation teaches us how to be still which helps focus our mind for meditation.
Tips for Practicing Meditation
Meditation is a great way to relax and calm the mind. Some people are naturally more mindful than others so it may take some getting used to, but after you get past that awkward phase of feeling like an outsider in your own head, meditation will feel as natural as breathing.
Below are five tips for starting on this new journey:
- Start slow. The best way to work out is by starting with short sessions and gradually increasing the time. Work your up from 5-10 minutes of exercise a day, progressively working up until you’re doing 30 minutes or more per session!
- Set a schedule. For a fresh and rejuvenating start to your day, try meditating for 5-10 minutes first thing in the morning. It’ll help you feel centered and grounded throughout the rest of your day so that stress won’t get in the way!
- Get comfortable. To lengthen your meditation time, try sitting on the floor with a thick blanket. Although you can sit in an upright position or even lie down for restful sleep, it’s best to find what works best for you and stick with that.
- Focus on what you’re feeling. Give your breath a chance to do the talking and get in touch with all of those sensations going on inside you.
- Don’t try to suppress feelings. Thoughts and feelings often arise during meditation. Sometimes these thoughts are uncomfortable, but they can also be enlightening or even pleasant. When this happens, acknowledge the thought without judging it then release your focus to return back to deep breathing
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