Do You Have to Meditate to Practice Mindfulness?
It’s no mystery that meditation and mindfulness work toward some of the same goals. I speculate that they both have similar backgrounds and back stories possibly originating from an eastern philosophy or custom. As two increasingly popular genres of a contemplative practice, they are both, indeed, closely connected. But at the same time there are important differences that separate the two. I think understanding that difference is integral in helping to explain why mindfulness, rather than many forms of meditation, sit as one of the pillars of Kind Rebirths.
First, let me begin by stating this blog is meant to provide clarity and is also meant to be general and a broad overview and not to provide definitive answers to what meditation is or is not. That said, meditation is widely considered a practice. To most, meditation is something done with intention and performed for a period of time that focuses on our breathing while allowing the observation of sensations within our bodies. This practice is often done within a guided format as we sit quietly with our thoughts. And while we are there, we simply allow our thoughts to come and go without either immediately releasing them but at the same time we do not allow them to persist long enough to take complete control of our focus and attention. Meditation can be significantly beneficial if we are seeking to strengthen our ability to understand what is happening within us internally, physically, and mentally.
Mindfulness, on the other hand, which as I mentioned is a foundational element within Kind Rebirths, is just a bit different. Living a life that incorporates practical mindfulness is a way of life that involves paying attention to our lives in real-time as we are living within each moment. It is an ask that says, “be present enough to notice what is happening while it is happening.” This includes an awareness that brings focus to what we think, how we feel, what we do, and how we experience life as we move through our everyday lives.
Mindfulness encompasses an approach that can travel with you anywhere. It is something that can be applied walking through a shopping mall or Walmart, sitting in a traffic jam on the way to work, listening to your favorite song, talking with your friends, or even while standing in front of a piece of art. And sure, these could be considered times when stress is low or you are not facing a direct challenge. But mindfulness is beneficial in the less comfortable moments like when you notice yourself starting to get angry, disappointed, or sad. Moreover, how about the times when we are internally conflicted in moments when we begin comparing yourself to others, making unfounded assumptions, or the tendency to react out of emotion rather than responding to it.
It’s an important distinction in the KR space as meditation is certainly an advantageous method to practicing mindful attention, but it is not a requirement for living mindfully. In mindfulness, you do not have to meditate at a set time every day or sit in a space that requires silence. Again, please don’t take this as a comparison of worth. They both have their place of benefit if the goal ultimately is to create awareness in one’s life. I use mindfulness to open doors to awareness. As we become more aware we practice the freedom to remove that which distorts or distracts are vision in the moment, which in turn builds clarity.
Let’s take one example for understanding. Imagine that someone says or does something that almost immediately offends and irritates us. Instinctually, we may react as a fight or flight response that causes you to “defend” yourself. In that moment, mindfulness gives you notice of the anger rising inside, ideally eliminating the instinct to “attack or fire back”. The emotion doesn’t disappear; you simply become aware of its presence and preferably, that presence provides just enough space to choose a different response. Now, maybe your response is to ask what they meant and/or choosing different words in your reply.
A meditative stance, on the other hand, may not be the most beneficial technique in that moment. While regular meditation practice and training is key in helping you notice when emotions arise without following them (acting out on them), it is also a good reflective practice that helps you and gives you moments to sit with the emotion peacefully without the need to feed it. As such, meditation is really good at strengthening the ability to be mindful for when those moments arise.
Meditation is a practice; mindfulness is a way of life. Meditation allows us to watch our thoughts, while mindfulness allows us to notice those thoughts and how they influence our perspectives, our experiences, and our behaviors. Meditation gives us structure and the preparation, while mindfulness helps us carry that learning into our everyday lives to find clarity. That clarity is what I call a Kind Rebirth.
Stay mindful…
Rebirth
