Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a Buddhist/Zen Connection Technique that has recently drawn the attention of scholars for the many positive Connection Outcomes it facilitates.

List of Connection Techniques

Connection Technique > Affirmation, Affirmation of Connection, Autogenic Training, Biofeedback, Bornless Ritual, Breathing, Caloric Reduction, Cocooning, Connection Visualization, Dance, Deprivation, Detachment, Dhikr, Drumming, Fasting, Flow Control, Flow Purification, Graduation Invocation, Holotropic Breathwork, Hypnotism, Hypoventilation, Intent, Intent to Connect, Japam, Mantra, Meditation, Mindfulness, Musical Audition, Mysticism of the Historical Event, Poetry, Power Quest, Receptive Seeking, Relaxation, Sensory Deprivation, Spirit Canoe, The Method of the Lamp, The Way of the Hollow Bone, Thought Control, Vajra Breath, Vision Quest, Visualization, Writing, Zazen

Notes

To practice mindfulness, breathe deeply and be fully present and aware of your immediate reality in each moment you exist. Smalley and Winston provide guidance and training.

According to Smalley and Winston, mindfulness practice has the following positive outcomes.

1. Reducing stress
2. Reducing chronic physical pain
3. Boosting the body’s immune system to fight disease
4. Coping with painful life events, such as the death of a loved one or major illness
5. Dealing with negative emotions like anger, fear, and greed
6. Increasing self-awareness to detect harmful reactive patterns of thought, feeling, and action
7. Improving attention or concentration
8. Enhancing positive emotions, including happiness and compassion
9. Increasing interpersonal skills and relationships
10. Reducing addictive behaviors, such as eating disorders, alcoholism, and smoking
11. Enhancing performance, whether in work, sports, or academics
12. Stimulating and releasing creativity
13. Changing positively the actual structure of our brains

Thich Nhat Hanh

"The way to maintain your presence in the here and now is through mindfulness of the breath. There is no need to manipulate the breath. Breath is a natural thing, like air, like light; we should leave it as it is and not interfere with it. What we are doing is simply lightning up the lamp of awareness to illuminate our breathing."

"Around us, life bursts forth with miracles--a glass of water, a ray of sunshine, a leaf, a caterpiller, a flower, laughter, raindrops. I you live in awareness, it is easy to see miracles everywhere."

"A step taken with mindfulness can lead you to the Kingdom of God".

"When you walk in mindfulness, you are in touch with the [sic] all the wonders of life without you and around you."

"Your true home is in the here and now. It is not limited by time, space, nationality, or race."

Mindfulness works because Consciousness is awareness, pure and simple. Mindfulness is the practice of awareness and expanding awareness expands Consciousness and connection.

Note that Thich Nhat Hanh imports the Fool in School archetypal constellation into his teachings.

Additional Reading

Smalley, Susan L, and Diana Winston. Fully Present: The Science, Art, and Practice of Mindfulness. De Capo Life Long, 2010.

The UCLA Mindfulness Awareness Research Center https://www.uclahealth.org/marc/

Footnotes

References