Why meditate? What are the benefits, and how are they measured? How do you learn to meditate?

What is mindfulness? Is it any different from mediation?

We’ll explain the meditation and mindfulness basics in just 5 minutes!

Meditation is both a skill and an experience — a formal exercise to cultivate awareness and compassion.

• Meditation is not about “emptying the mind” or “not thinking.” You meditate to see your thoughts more clearly.
• Meditation is not about becoming a different person, a new person, or a better person.
• Meditation does not guarantee relaxation, serenity, or bliss.
• Meditation is not “checking out” or escaping practice.
• Meditation is not necessarily spiritual or religious. Anyone can meditate, regardless of creed.

Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present in the moment. It can have numerous benefits, for instance, decreased stress and sadness, increased levels of focus and happiness.

Mindfulness is the quality of being present and fully engaged with whatever we’re doing at the moment — free from distraction or judgment, and aware of our thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them. We train in this moment-to-moment awareness through meditation, allowing us to build the skill of mindfulness so that we can then apply it to everyday life.

Do you want to take it to the next level (scientifically)? Go to this questionnaire (Mindful Attention Awareness Score) and find out what’ your level! The measure takes 10 minutes or less to complete.

The higher the score, the greater your ability to be mindful!

Here’s the thing that many people find confusing about mindfulness: it’s not a temporary state of mind that is present during meditation and then vanishes for the rest of the day. Rather, mindfulness is a way of living in which — when we remember — we are able to step back and be in the present moment in any situation.

Mindfulness doesn’t eliminate stress or other difficulties; instead, by becoming aware of unpleasant thoughts and emotions that arise because of challenging situations, we have more choice in how to handle them in the moment — and a better chance of reacting calmly and empathetically when faced with stress or challenges. Of course, practicing mindfulness does not mean we never get angry — rather it allows us to be more thoughtful in how we want to respond, whether that’s calmly and empathetically or perhaps, occasionally with measured anger.

What about you?

Do you meditate? Do you feel like cultivating midnfulness?