Practicing Mindful Awareness
By Karla Jensen, PhD
Previously, I’ve shared my passion for the practice of mindfulness – our basic human ability to be purposefully present where we are, focus on what we are doing, and recognize what we are feeling. Present-moment awareness, which can be cultivated through a variety of mindfulness techniques including meditation, offers a host of benefits such as enhanced curiosity, concentration, and empathy. With regular meditation practice, we may also experience a reduction in anxiety, depression, and daily stress.
In my byline, I invite you to “investigate mindfulness by checking out reputable organizations and authors who support this practice.” If you are a mindfulness newbie, wondering what type of meditation to try, how long to meditate, and having questions answered may be overwhelming. If you are a seasoned practitioner, experiencing resistance to meditating or simply needing a fresh perspective is common. Thanks to the Internet, an array of guided meditations is at our fingertips. (A gentle reminder: double-check the credibility of your sources.) For instance, the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center and Insight Timer (both of which have meditation apps) are filled with resources that can inform and inspire.
While such material is valuable in creating a DIY approach to mindfulness, you may also wish to join an in-person class to kick-start or deepen your mindfulness journey. In the Lincoln area, Into Balance offers an 8-week Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course multiple times each year.
These in-person classes follow an evidence-based curriculum of instruction, meditation, gentle yoga, and group discussions. Having participated in this particular MBSR course, as well as several other in-person meditation courses elsewhere, I can attest to the benefits of regularly meeting with a group. Specifically, the personal attention and expert guidance by the instructor and the motivation to follow through with my “meditation homework” greatly supports my home practice. Also, in my experience, the most remarkable aspect of a group course is the sense of community. All of us — extroverts and introverts alike — are social creatures. The connections and sense of belonging established during in-person classes can be a source of joy that is beneficial well beyond the weekly gathering.
Whether your mindfulness practice takes place with a group or as a solo effort, know that the time you spend exploring each moment will yield a deeper sense of well-being in your daily life.
Karla Jensen, PhD, is a professor of Communication Studies and Contemplative Practices; she is also certified to teach meditation and yoga. She invites readers to investigate mindfulness by checking out reputable organizations and authors who support this practice.