I am often asked, What is the difference between mindfulness and meditation?
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is possible at this moment and at any and every moment all day long.
It is essentially the practice of noticing the world around you as it unfolds. This is as opposed to drifting through your day or your life unaware and on automatic.
Just Stop . . .
In this very moment, you could stop what you’re doing, close your eyes, and notice your breath. You could feel the cool air of your inhale and the warm air of your exhale pass back out.
You could sit down in the sunshine, close your eyes and just feel the warmth of the sun on your face, notice the sound of the lawnmower in the distance, smell the flowers in the breeze.
Mindfulness, in essence, is the practice of waking up to the beauty of life all around you in this moment and in each and every moment.
What is meditation and how does it work?
Meditation, on the other hand, is the dedicated daily practice of sitting quietly and either noticing your breath, using a mantra, a loving-kindness, guided or any one of the myriad meditations available to quiet your internal dialog such that you reconnect with your higher self.
In essence, meditation is the dedicated practice which lays the foundation for you to then go out into the world carrying that sense of peace and serenity within. While mindfulness is the integrated practice you can employ in all of your daily interactions and relationships.
Establish a daily meditation practice with a little mindfulness sprinkled on top!
To start the journey, I'd recommend scheduling a free Introductory Session, which is available by phone, FaceTime, Skype or Zoom. The Introductory Session is designed for us to hone in on where you are now and how best to incorporate the ancient practice of meditation into your daily life.
