Читать книгу Cognitive Behavioural Therapy For Dummies - Rob Willson - Страница 66

Mindfulness is the art of being present in the moment, without passing judgement about your experience. The mindfulness process is so simple – and yet so challenging. Keep your attention focused on the moment that you’re experiencing right now. Suspend your judgement about what you’re feeling, thinking and absorbing through your senses. Simply observe what’s going on around you, in your mind and in your body without doing anything. Just allow yourself to be aware of what’s happening.

Mindfulness literature talks about the way your mind almost mechanically forms judgements about each of your experiences, labelling them as good, bad or neutral depending on how you value them. Things that generate good and bad feelings within you get most of your attention, but you may ignore neutral things or deem them to be boring. Mindfulness meditation encourages awareness of the present moment with an uncluttered mind, observing even the seemingly mundane without judgement. The whole experience is a bit like looking at the world for the first time.

When you meet someone you know, try to see her through fresh eyes. Suspend your prior knowledge, thoughts, experiences and opinions. You can try this with acquaintances or people you know very well, such as family members and close friends.

Try mindfulness exercises when you’re in the countryside or walking down the street. Whether the surroundings are familiar to you or not, try to see the details of the world around you through fresh eyes.