Controlling your own mind is the path to fulfilling your mental potential and an important part of managing your emotional state as well. Everything we do starts with a thought or an emotional reaction, so understanding and anticipating your thought patterns and emotional reactions is the key to control. Mindfulness is the trick to gaining this understanding. What is mindfulness exactly? It is awareness of ones sensory input, thoughts and emotions. It is controlled focus of attention and adherence to principles such as tolerance, patience and generosity. That sounds like a lot of stuff, and it does encompass a whole paradigm which can be produce very powerful positive change, but it is actually quite easy to practice.
It starts by allowing yourself the time to focus your thoughts on something, the practice of mindful meditation. A great place to do that is at an art museum. Walk through the galleries by yourself and find a painting which speaks to you. Spend some time going over the painting with your eyes and note all your observations and impressions in your mind. Note any feelings the piece invokes in you. This is mindfulness at it’s core. Another great mindful meditation can be practiced through a walk in nature. In stead of letting your mind wander with whatever issues are occupying it from your work or life in general, focus on your sensory intake of the world around you, and note them in your mind.
Next step is to try to employ this same state of focus in conversations, be it casual or professional. You will find that your perceptiveness increases and you will be a sharper debater and negotiator. It it a powerful mind trick which will catapult you to achievement and success, use it wisely! In fact, make sure you remember the final step to real mindfulness.
The final step is to choose certain principles to uphold, such as tolerance, patience, gratitude and kindness. All these principles are manifestations of love, and as you hopefully will agree, love is the path you should choose. Mindfulness of love for life and your fellow humans will enrich your life in wonderful ways. These principles will help you process negative emotions and emanate positive energy. Your relationships will improve and your charisma will go through the roof. You will find that you will be surrounded with positivity and love.
Mindfulness has its roots in Buddhism and is part of The Noble Eightfold path to Nirvana that Buddha paved over two thousand years ago, but it is perhaps even more relevant today with all the distractions and stresses of modern life. It is a pure and simple concept of allowing your faculties to work optimally and enjoying the benefits, but a concept that modern man has lost connection with. So reconnect with your mind, reconnect with your senses, and flourish.
One last thing I should mention in case you’re not already sold on the benefits of mindfulness, it can do wonders for your love life as well