Do you know what mindfulness is that you hear so much about these days?
Mindfulness as medical practice was systematized as a clinical technique in 1979 by Jon Kabat-Zinn, a molecular biologist at the University of Massachusetts, combined with the attention-focusing theory of psychology. It seems that this method we hear about these days has been studied for decades.
The mindfulness method by Jon Kabat-Zinn is divided into two parts: Mindfulness Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), which combines mindfulness stress reduction techniques with cognitive therapy techniques. A Super company, Google also uses its own mindfulness methods.
Work and Mindfulness
Google has developed an innovative mindfulness method to help individuals improve their self-awareness and self-management skills. This approach, known as "Search Inside Yourself (SIY)," was first created by former Google engineer, Chade-Meng Tan. Since its inception, SIY has helped thousands of people develop emotional intelligence, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. Based on the success of the program, a book on the mindfulness method was published worldwide. Discover how this groundbreaking approach can help you unlock your full potential and transform your life.
Other large companies such as Apple, Nike, and General Mills have also implemented mindfulness programs for their employees. The benefits of mindfulness in the workplace include improved focus and productivity, reduced stress and burnout, and better employee well-being.
What is the Mindfulness
The word "mindfulness" comes from the Pali word "sati."
smṛti, the Sanskrit equivalent of sati.
Sati is an essential element in the Buddhist tradition, and smṛti means "to remember, recollect, and bear in mind.
In Buddhism, mindfulness refers to focusing on the body's five senses without the distractions of past experiences and preconceptions and cultivating a mind that perceives and accepts reality as it is, such as the feelings of the present moment and the physical situation as it is.
It practices cultivating a mind free from the past, thoughts, and emotions through meditation, abdominal breathing, tummy movements linked to breathing, and experiences that use the five senses.
Mindfulness meditation
The following are some of the reported benefits of cultivating mindfulness through meditation.
The ability to pay attention to the present moment
When we focus on the present moment, we are less likely to be distracted by external events, which leads to a calmer mind and greater insight. It is also believed that you will be able to cope more calmly with situations that previously would have caused you anxiety or fear by gathering and using your wasted attention.
Performance Improvement It is said that by quieting the mind, you become more accustomed to being mindless and focusing your mind on something through meditation.
Psychologically, it is said to help people deal with emotions such as anger and sorrow, improve concentration and work performance, and enhance decision-making skills by reducing stress.
These have been proven medically as well. After mindfulness meditation, an MRI scan of the brain showed that many areas of the brain involved in learning, memory, emotional control, and self-consciousness were enlarged, while the amygdala area of the brain was reduced.
There is also scientific evidence that after 8 weeks of mindfulness meditation at the Massachusetts Medical School, the amygdala became less reactive, and the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (learning, compassion, introspection, etc.) became more active, reducing stress and improving performance.
Not only mindfulness meditation but also meditation helps balance the mind and body, so even if you are without work, please try it whenever you have a chance with the awareness of self-balancing. You can stretch your mind in all aspects: spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical. There is even a concept that stretching the mind can reduce stress = anti-ageing.
Some people find it a little challenging to get involved in meditation and healing. Try starting yoga, it is also meditation. It is an excellent first step.
Recommended Yoga class in the U.S.A. is here.