Mindfulness vs. Meditation? They Work Together for You

Your busy day is jammed with pleasant episodes, both large and small, but often the same challenges. You may have heard that slowing down and taking a moment to meditate or practice mindfulness benefits both the mind and body.

Let’s look at mindfulness vs. meditation — two slightly different concepts — and what they can do for you.

Meditation

Although humans have meditated for at least 7,000 years, there’s still no firmly agreed-upon definition of meditation.

One definition, common across many practices, characterizes meditation as the opportunity to pause and reflect — to “be in the moment.”

One of my colleagues, Dr. David Rychener, says meditation is essentially pausing, noticing where we are, and then choosing our next step.

Meditation can represent a desired state of being and the practice that brings us to that state. That practice can occur in many different contexts — spiritual, religious, or even unique to the individual.

In fact, the definition of meditation is truly personal to each participant.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is an aspect of meditation that can be practiced throughout the day. It involves being fully aware of what’s happening in the moment and simply flowing with it, accepting that it just is, without assigning undue meaning or judgment.

When we’re mindful, we bring the knowledge we’ve learned in meditative practice into our moment-by-moment awareness:

• If we experience a positive moment, we do it with gratitude and let it go.
• If it’s a perplexing moment, we process it — then again, do our best to let it go.

It’s not always easy to experience a moment and then release it. However, research suggests that this mindful approach to life can relieve stress and anxiety and improve mood and well-being.

Practical Tips for Mindful Living

Each person’s definition of meditation is shaped by their own essential experiences. So, for you, meditation may include pleasant, restful, or energizing activities, such as:

• Prayer
• Listening to music
• Stargazing
• Being fully engaged with loved ones

Within our daily lives, there are many ways to encourage mindful meditation — that is, to be fully present.

Yet in a world where multitasking is applauded, such mindfulness can be challenging. When we try to accomplish many things at once, we often engage them sporadically or incompletely.

On the other hand, when you’re mindful, you’re fully attentive to the task at hand or that meal with a loved one.

At the office, rather than picking up the phone, using the computer, and engaging with colleagues all at once, devote your full attention to one of those actions at a time.

When you leave work, clear your mind of your to-do list. Instead, be fully present. Observe the sights and sounds of nature or your neighborhood.

Find Your Personal Path

To reap the benefits of mindful meditation, you don’t have to engage in strictly defined forms of practice like transcendental or vipassana meditation. You can create your own personal form of mindful meditation.

Offer yourself the kindness of seeing what form of mindful meditation you might want to engage in. Perhaps begin by pausing, noticing, and choosing from moment to moment.

You could choose spiritual reflection, learn to aim your cognitive capacities purely at the task at hand, or focus meditative work on a physical malady that could benefit from focus and mindfulness.

Here are some ideas to start your thinking:

• Chat with a meditation teacher, or speak to a religious or spiritual guide.
• Consult a friend or family member who’s explored the practice of meditation.
• Pick up a book on mindfulness meditation, or download one of the widely available meditation apps to your phone or laptop.
• Center yourself by focusing on breathwork. Do breathing exercises or devote a few seconds of your day to taking a deep breath through your nose, exhaling deeply through your mouth, and being present in the moment. Mindful meditation can indeed be as simple as that.

Let’s Be Mindful

Here at Signature Healthcare, we offer a comprehensive range of approaches to your health and wellness.

Wondering about mindfulness vs. meditation? As an integrative medicine practitioner, I can help you explore aspects of both to reduce stress, support traditional medical regimens, or bring greater joy to your day.

Give me a call, and let’s explore mindfulness together.