Same Wavelength: Mindfulness + Meditation

By Paige Davis 

WHAT SPARKED YOUR MINDFUL JOURNEY?

I’ve explored meditation and mindfulness practices my entire life, but never with consistency. My real entrée to a formal meditation practice came when I was a stressed out entrepreneur on the verge of burnout. I knew nothing in my outer circumstances were going to change and I was desperate for some peace. That is when I attended my first meditation training with Deepak Chopra and the Chopra Center. It was a game changer, partly because it was seven consistent days of structured meditation time (and as we know, consistency is key), but also because it helped to dispel some myths that I held around meditation. Sure enough, I came back from that retreat and was able to cultivate a practice that fit my lifestyle. Nine months into my daily practice, I received a breast cancer diagnosis. And as I’ve shared so many times before, I’m convinced those nine months of a daily practice were the training ground for my body-mind-spirit to integrate and experience cancer as the transformational catalyst it was. But that’s another story for another time.

I’m now fortunate to go into companies and work with team members, entrepreneurs, and executives who are looking for tangible tools to manage stress and bring more presence, productivity and positivity into their lives. While each engagement varies in its desired goals, outcomes, and programming, I find that addressing some of the key questions and misconceptions I had around meditation are where some of the biggest breakthroughs occur for people.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION?

MINDFULNESS is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.

It is training our attention to be in the now. Which is why I love the Mindful Marks so much, because they are tangible reminders and catalysts to practice mindfulness. Even in this moment, you may be aware of your breath, physical sensations in your body, smells and sounds around you. We can begin to invite elongated periods of mindfulness into our daily activities like washing our hands, walking, or even drinking tea or coffee. For example, when you are placing your mindful mark, taking a moment to focus on your breath, look at the physical area where you want to place the mark, feel the sensation of the application, and simply being aware of whatever arises after you have placed it, even if it feels like nothing.

We do this as a way to flex our mindfulness muscle so we can ultimately be more present and able to respond versus react in high demand situations. We can also flex our mindfulness muscle through meditation.

MEDITATION is a word to describe the many techniques and practices both modern and ancient, which settle our nervous system.

Certain techniques are scientifically proven to change the landscape of the brain. There are many types of meditation including visualization, compassion practices, mantra, and of course mindfulness meditation. Regardless of technique, Meditation is the practice of becoming aware of having a thought and then gently coming back to a point of focus (breath, body awareness, mantra, etc.), repeatedly, and without judgment. Jon Kabat-Zinn uses the metaphor of the surface of the ocean as a way of understanding meditation. “On the ocean, the waves never stop. Meditation practice is not intended to stop the waves so that the water becomes peaceful or tranquil. Meditation practice will help you “keep your balance” as you ride the waves.” Meditation and mindful living became my home base and gave me the perspective to realize I didn’t need to be positive or deny the hardship of my situation, I needed to BE PRESENT. It is this present-moment awareness that continues to be key as I embrace an open-hearted and integrative way of living and why I am so grateful to have LumenKind Mindful Marks as key tools in my transformation toolkit.

 

Paige Davis, Author, Speaker, Entrepreneur at Hello Paige Davis

  

photo credit: Amber Vickery

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Hi Bright Being! In my pursuit to reveal my ideal flow in life, I’ve learned that growth and evolution come in many forms. I’ve also noticed that, though I've honed in on key ingredients, the ideas and systems to support us through change come in an equally vast array and it can be overwhelming!

I like to think of these as the “transformation tools” I choose (and learn how to use) to help me design and build my life. A giant part of my toolbox is dedicated to mindfulness and meditation because I think these are the power tools that allow Humankind to transform into LumenKind. 😉 Perhaps it's because of their unbound potency, these tools are also the ones that I find to be the most enigmatic. Thankfully, my friend and meditation expert, Paige Davis, is here as an insightful guide and mentor to help you and me learn how to use these power tools of the transformation toolkit. 

❤️ Natalie

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