12 Nov Buddhist Mindfulness 101
Often times, we are attached to our feelings and thoughts and believe they are 100% accurate. We allow them to control our moods and mental health. This can lead to trauma, PTSD, insecurities, and even suicidal thoughts.
We believe lies that might’ve been told to us in the past, either by a parent, marriage partner or someone who was narcissistic or abusive. We internalize these lies, often taking on a false identity, because of unhealthy relationships. People cling to their emotions, and false beliefs, especially the ones that are detrimental.
This unhealthy approach and attachment to unhealthy thoughts, feelings, or ideas, can be undone and relearned in a healthier manner, using mindfulness and Buddhist psychology.
The challenge becomes to be aware of the emotion, without attaching meaning to it. We begin by noticing the emotion in your body, as a sensation, and becoming aware of how it feels, and the memories attached.
With a safe supportive therapist, & meditation and mindfulness techniques, you start to observe the emotions without attaching meaning to them.
It’s like this…. You are a body of water, like a pond. Your emotions are like fish swimming around in that pond. So many emotions, running the gamut, from joy & happiness to sadness, fear, & anger.
Your job is to become still, notice all of the emotions, and remain mindful and neutral. Like a silent observer of your emotions. You become that still body of water, and learn to detach and observe all you are feeling and going through without creating negative stories in your head about yourself, the person or the situation.
Meditation, contemplative prayer, and mindfulness, all help create an objective self, your wise mind, and help you detach from your ego.
This reduces your stress levels & levels of reactivity. You will start to respond to negative situations in a healthier manner.
The stories we create in our minds about what happened increase our suffering by 99%. Learning to stop the stories in your mind and not make assumptions, will reduce stress levels, and lead to long term benefits for the body and mind.
For instance, the brains of nuns and monks were studied post humously, and their brains’ grey matter continued to thrive throughout their lifetime. Most of us lose up to 5% of our grey matter over a lifetime, because of stress, anxiety and trauma. When we learn to meditate or do contemplative prayer, that gray matter is protected.
Trauma and stress can lead to dementia and Alzheimer’s in the long term. Meditation is very important to learn, in order to calm our minds, nervous systems, and build a more peaceful lifestyle.
Please call me & come in to therapy, for support in starting your journey to emotional wellbeing and mindfulness.
Jayma Jamieson, MA, NCC, LPC