Mindfulness. Meditation.

"Acting with intention is active mindfulness meditation."

Before going into depth about mindfulness meditation, it is important to acknowledge these two definitions of mindfulness and mindful meditation:

"Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique."

"Mindfulness Meditation, in short, is a technique of meditation in which distracting thoughts and feelings are not ignored but are rather acknowledged and observed non-judgmentally as they arise to create a detachment from them and gain insight and awareness."

I began practicing meditation three years ago while I was still in high school. I was at the beginning of my spiritual journey, and I only saw it as a way getting in tune with my spiritual being. Although, I must say that I did not seriously get into until my first year of being on a college campus. Moving to a college campus means making a huge life transition, which can bring stress and anxiety. Meditation is a way for me to acknowledge my vulnerabilities, my fears, my sadness, my anxiety, and even the positive feelings of joy, happiness, and peace. Meditation helps me with using my mind effectively in every day life. Since I have began meditating, I am noticing the differences in my thought process. For instance, when I get into stressful situations, I ask myself certain questions instead of going into full panic mode such as: "Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?". I also take deep breaths, as it helps with releasing the negative energy. Instead of trying to block out the negative forces of stress and anxiety, I welcome them... acknowledging them and reflecting upon them. I found that actually letting myself feeling these emotions soothed my anxiety more efficiently than sweeping it under the rug.

Since I am still in the midst of my meditation - and overall - spiritual journey, there are still many things I have to learn and cultivate in my own right. I always say TRY not to place yourselves in a superiority complex, or downgrade others capabilities because they do not think as you do. We all have our moments of understanding and ignorance, among other things. Understand that as humans, we are all prone to our own contradictions and hypocrisies. It is the reaction and the way we retain and learn from out mishaps. Mindfulness and Meditation are no exceptions! Meditation can be pretty difficult at first, but just as anything, you must continue to practice and to hone it as a skill in order to find your niche. As for meditation, there are ten stages of meditation, which are as follows (Credit to: https://www.consciouslifestylemag.com/ten-stages-of-meditation-complete-guide/):

"The Ten Stages and Four Milestones

The Novice Meditator

Stage One: Establishing a Practice

Stage Two: Interrupted Attention and Overcoming Mind-Wandering

Stage Three: Extended Attention and Overcoming Forgetting

Milestone One: Continuous Attention to the Meditation Object

The Skilled Meditator

Stage Four: Continuous Attention and Overcoming Gross Distraction and Strong Dullness

Stage Five: Overcoming Subtle Dullness and Increasing Mindfulness

Stage Six: Subduing Subtle Distraction

Milestone Two: Sustained Exclusive Focus of Attention

The Transition

Stage Seven: Exclusive Attention and Unifying the Mind

Milestone Three: Effortless Stability of Attention

The Adept Meditator

Stage Eight: Mental Pliancy and Pacifying the Senses

Stage Nine: Mental and Physical Pliancy and Calming the Intensity of Meditative Joy

Stage Ten: Tranquility and Equanimity

Milestone Four: Persistence of the Mental Qualities of an Adept"

For me personally, I am on Stage Four, as I still learning to focus my attention on my breathing and my body. However, as I always remind myself, there is always room for improvement. I do have the goal of reaching Stage Ten, and from how I have been doing, I am on the right track. Hopefully, you all will give mindfulness and meditation a shot! I know for me, I will definitely continue my journey, as it has been very fulfilling to me.

Until next time, folks! I will leave you with a quote about meditation:

“What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you create."

Check out my relaxing playlist from the late Nujabes as well. You'll thank me for it.