Seems to be the latest thing at the moment (Mindfulness) meaning

"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."

My first thought of this was would it work for me? was walking up Mount Maunganui a year back and came across a group doing meditation on the top of the Mount and positive chanting and wondered to myself was that all airy fairy? or did it actually work and bring a sense of calm and relaxation to those people.

I live quite a fast paced life and with the digital age we live in it can feel overwhelming and stressful at times. Since I first saw that group of people I have tried meditation on a couple of apps, but found it wasn't really my thing to be honest. I also had a try at yoga with a friend once, I remember feeling nice and relaxed and tired after, but wasn't really my thing either the flexibility in my back was a bit of a struggle but I guess it could get easier with time. So I turned to pilates instead. Still a relaxing form of exercise, that promotes lean long muscles and found this worked for me and relaxed me. I guess you have to find what works for you is where I was getting at there.

"My version of mindfulness and meditation is, taking a break from the world and heading to the Redwoods Forest in Rotorua my home town. The combination of the fresh air Redwood trees and whether its mountain biking or walking, becomes my happy place. I walk out feeling refreshed and worries gone. Although it's not meditating to some extent it is, as I completely zone out."

The Dalai Lama practices mindfulness in every day life.

So I locate, his 5 quotes, to help you on the path to mindfulness.

5 Quotes about mindfulness from the Dalai lama

1 - Having a calm or peaceful state of mind,, oesn’t mean being spaced out or completely empty. Peace of mind or a calm state of mind, is rooted in affection and compassion and is sensitive and responsive to others.

2 - The inner peace of an alert and calm mind are the source of real happiness and good health.

3 - Every day, think as you wake up today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others,o achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.

4 - We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.

5 - Whatever forms of meditation you practice, the most important point is to apply mindfulness continuously, and make a sustained effort. It is unrealistic to expect results from meditation within a short period of time. What is required is continuous sustained effort.

very wise words from

Dalai Lama

"In a world as it is at the moment, we can all do with actively showing kindness to one another - after all we are all on this journey together."

Charmaine 2021