Being Present in the Moment

Mindfulness, as it’s commonly practiced, teaches us to be present in the moment. This is great if you’re constantly worrying about the future to the point of paralyzing anxiety. But is mindfulness merely a way to avoid confronting those scary “what if?” scenarios that seem all too real? These thoughts don’t just disappear; they linger, waiting for a chance to flood your mind, like a horror movie playing on repeat in your dreams.

Don’t get me wrong, training your mind to be aware of your thoughts and stay present in the moment is valuable. I used to be an over-thinker, perpetually lost in thoughts of the past or future, missing out on the richness of life happening right now. But I am now mostly aware of what thoughts are playing in my mind and can choose to change the topic to the here and now, and I am happier and more peaceful for it.

Full Awareness Without Judgement

How often have you felt irritated when someone interrupted your internal planning or rumination? This is especially common for parents. The mundane tasks of childcare — cleaning up messes or mediating sibling disputes — can feel frustrating. But when you bring your full awareness to these moments without judgment, you can find joy.

Cleaning up can become oddly satisfying when you focus solely on the task at hand, free from thoughts of the rights or wrongs of the situation, or whether you would prefer to be doing something else instead. Resolving disputes with your full presence and without preconceived judgments allows for compassionate connections and effortless solutions.

The Pitfalls of Clock Watching

Have you ever felt bored or frustrated because you were yearning for a future moment? Watching the clock at work or sitting in traffic, impatient to get home does nothing to change your situation. This anticipation often stems from fear -fear of being late, of losing precious time, or of missing out on happiness and achievements. However, projecting into the future often stems from the limiting belief that life must meet certain conditions for you to be happy.

Beyond Surface-Level Mindfulness

Using mindfulness techniques to distract from distressing thoughts about the present or future doesn’t address or release the underlying limiting beliefs. It merely silences them temporarily. Along with my colleague Andrea Atwell, we have practiced years of inner listening, to the source of wisdom and truth that resides within us all. We have also had the help of a Turkish donkey, who was a master of mindfulness, but that’s a whole other story!

The important thing that we discovered, from quieting the mind and listening inwardly, is that true mindfulness goes beyond choosing which thoughts to focus on; it involves being willing to fully experience all thoughts and feelings without judging them.

Conscious Being Awareness

We call this deeper practice “Conscious Being Awareness.” It’s about accepting everything present in your mind and body at any moment, not just the easy or pleasant thoughts. This full acceptance leads to real transformation and a growing sense of peace with yourself and the world around you.

Seeking True Transformation

Facing your fears and judgments can be tricky and scary, which is why it is difficult to find apps or YouTube videos that promote this deeper level of mindfulness. While many self-help apps and videos aren’t necessarily wrong in what they offer, they are unlikely to lead to the profound transformation you seek. For lasting relief, you may find it helpful to find a mentor, teacher, or therapist to help you identify and experience your thoughts without judgment.

The Real Meaning of Mindfulness

So, what’s wrong with mindfulness as it’s commonly practiced? Maybe nothing. But is it enough? Perhaps being temporarily present in the moment is enough for you. Because one day, in that peaceful moment, you might hear the inner teacher who reveals the true essence of mindfulness.

Ready to Transform Your Life?

If you are ready to go beyond surface-level mindfulness and experience true transformation, I can help. As a Conscious Being Awareness coach, I will guide you through the process of fully experiencing and accepting your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Together, we can uncover the inner wisdom and peace you seek.

Contact me today to start your journey towards genuine mindfulness and lasting inner peace.

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