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What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment deliberately and non-judgmentally.
What is Meditation?
Meditation is the practice of mindfulness in relation to a specific object over a sustained period of time.
When we meditate, we choose an object of meditation and try to stick to it. The object could be physical, such as a candle or statue, or commonly it’s a specific aspect of breathing. Or, the object could be a particular visualization, mantra, or even mind itself.
How Do Mindfulness & Meditation Relate?
The regular practice of meditation supports our development of mindfulness. Improved concentration is one significant way meditation enhances our practice of mindfulness.
When we train ourselves to pay attention to just one thing during meditation, we’re developing a highly transferable skill. We’re also getting better at paying attention to the person sitting across the table from us, eating a meal more mindfully, or enjoying the sun on our backs as we walk across the park on a warm summer’s day.
Mindfulness Is Better Than Chocolate: A Practical Guide to Enhanced Focus and Lasting Happiness in a World of Distractions
David Michie
