Mindfulness and The Mind

Our minds can be both a source of great joy and insight, as well as confusion and pain. The mind can lead us to creativity, happiness, anxiety, and sorrow.

To better understand the mind, we can observe it with love and understanding, questioning our thoughts and experiences without judgment.

By developing mindful awareness of our thoughts and emotions, we can better recognize when fear or other unhelpful states arise without becoming overwhelmed.

Through this process, we can develop an inner sense of contentment that is not dependent on external factors or situations. We can find peace amidst even difficult circumstances as we meet our minds with awareness and understanding.

Sage advice

Sages of many traditions have long recognized that the nature of the mind is fickle, changeable, and often misleading. They urge us to strive for inner mastery by utilizing meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, mindfulness, and other practices to help overcome our mental limitations.

Despite this wisdom, we may still find it difficult to free ourselves from fear, pain, and desire, which can cause us to become easily trapped in emotional reactivity. 

Fortunately, mindfulness therapy allows us to gain greater clarity of our emotions and control over our minds — and progress toward a more balanced and harmonious life.

The egoic mind

The egoic mind is inclined to compare itself with others, making some better and some less than ourselves. It creates separation and false barriers, such as race and social status.

The ego often needs to be right and complicates things unnecessarily.

The egoic mind focuses on the past or future rather than living in the present moment. 

Fear, worry, and denial are common emotions the egoic mind engages with, often striving to maintain the status quo instead of embracing change.

The mind's negative bias

The inherent wiring of our minds detects danger and is wary of potential threats, which means we have an innate negativity bias. 

This negative lens can lead us to interpret things in a more pessimistic light than necessary or become overly anxious about situations that aren't threatening. 

We can challenge this predisposed mindset by actively and positively engaging with our environment. We can do this by taking the time to recognize when we're falling into patterns of negativity and consciously choose to look for what's going well instead. 

To counteract this natural predisposition, we must actively question our thoughts and strive towards adopting a more balanced perspective.

We can do this by consciously observing ourselves when we feel afraid and taking a moment to consider whether the fear is valid. Is it a snake or a rope?

Building resilience by engaging in exercise, yoga, and mindfulness activities can also help us reduce anxiety.

Freeing ourselves

Mindfulness can be an effective way to free ourselves from negative bias and excessive fear. We can appreciate the simplicity of the present moment.

By slowing down, becoming aware of our thoughts and experiences, and being open to new perspectives, we can better understand how they shape our lives. 

With greater understanding comes acceptance, allowing us to establish a compassionate relationship with ourselves, leading to increased peace and wisdom. 

By consciously tuning into the present moment and observing our thoughts without judgment, we can gradually overcome limiting beliefs that cause distress and learn to believe in the potential of what lies beyond them.

The mind can be a servant to the heart

The mind can help us to clear the way in listening to the deepest wisdom of our hearts.

Our minds are invaluable tools for manifesting the positive desires of our hearts. The mind can help us plan and strategize, giving us a clear path toward success while ensuring we remain aware of potential obstacles. 

Its penchant for logical thinking and weighing pros and cons helps us make wise decisions that align with our highest good. 

Pushing past impulsive urges can also aid us in setting meaningful goals which will benefit ourselves and those around us over time.

The practice of self-inquiry

Through self-inquiry, we can explore our inner world with curiosity and non-judgment, uncovering underlying beliefs that may be limiting us and ultimately causing suffering.

We can remain open to all possibilities, keeping an unbiased perspective while gently challenging ourselves to see things from different angles. 

We can also be curious about our emotions, exploring their sources and noticing any unhelpful patterns holding us back. By doing so, we can let go of old stories, create space for new ideas, and ultimately move forward with newfound freedom and clarity.

Mindfulness therapy

Mindfulness therapy can be a powerful way to develop a peaceful relationship with our minds. We can become aware of patterns driving negative behaviors and emotions by paying attention, observing our thoughts without judgment, and staying present. 

Mindfulness therapy allows us to process painful memories or traumas from the past, freeing us from their grip while providing insight. We can grow into forming healthier attachments and connections with others. Mindfulness therapy can give us the tools to cultivate a calmer and more focused mind.

With a mindfulness therapist, you have an experienced companion who is with you as you intentionally slow down, become conscious of your thoughts and feelings, and remain aware of your experiences. 

Take the next step

I have been on my spiritual journey for 35+ years, and I am delighted to walk with you on yours, using the experiences I've gathered to support you. Give yourself the gift of a skilled companion on your journey of growth and healing. Contact me today to discuss mindfulness therapy.