We are constantly on the go and in constant contact through cell phones and the internet. Even with our hurried pace and our technology, we rarely get caught up. This way of living causes great tension, keeps us disconnected from our true selves, and can eventually make us sick.
Mindfulness, the intentional cultivation of non-judgmental awareness, can help us to awaken from our habitual mind states, understand our reactivity to stressors, and address our busyness with greater clarity and creativity. Research reports that mindfulness helps practitioners reduce the immediate effects of stress and produces long-lasting, positive changes in their lives. Those who practice mindfulness have also experienced significant decreases in anxiety, depression, and a variety of physical symptoms. The training helps people gain self-awareness, access and process emotion, reduce reactivity to thought and urges, and access internal stores of compassion and intuition. |
