Blog - Wellness Through Mindfulness

Sharing

WTM Sharing May 19, 2023May 19, 2023 0 Comment

What is community? One definition of community is a group of people with diverse and varied characteristics who are linked by social ties, shared common perspectives, and engage in joint action.

Creating and coming together in community is one of the foundational values for our Wellness Through Mindfulness efforts. Our events bring us together to learn, experience, and dialogue with open minds and hearts.

WTM events are structured to allow you as a participant to share your questions and feedback to help us learn from each other and grow through discussion. To continue the momentum of shared thoughts, we now have a new way for you to contribute and share.

You are invited to post after a recent presentation or for any past topics. Our intention is to provide you another way to contribute to the WTM community of learning by creating additional discussion. Reponses to your posted comments may include responses from our volunteers, speakers, or other participants.

Some questions you may consider when you post:

What were your key learnings from the presentation?
In what ways is this topic relevant for you?
Are you more aware or committed to behavioural changes that have increased your practice of mindfulness?
What has emerged for you as a result of attending the presentation?
Do you have any additional questions that weren’t covered during the event?
What else are you interested in learning about mindfulness or other related topics?

To ensure we create a forum that benefits all, here are the guidelines:

Be respectful: Treat others with respect and kindness, even if you disagree with their opinions.
Stay on topic: Make sure your posts are relevant to the event topic.
Please don’t spam: Avoid posting the same message multiple times, and don’t use the forum to advertise products or services.
Use appropriate language: Refrain from using vulgar or offensive language.
Provide valuable contributions: Contribute meaningful and insightful posts that add value to the discussion.
Be honest: Don’t misrepresent facts or information.
Respect others’ privacy.
Report inappropriate behavior: We will be regularly monitoring comments, but if you see someone violating the guidelines or behaving inappropriately, report it to the moderators. wtm.thebreathproject.org/contact
Have fun: Forums are a great way to connect with others who share our interests, so enjoy the experience!

We are excited to hear your thoughts/questions and are grateful for your ongoing curiosity and participation. Looking forward to seeing you at an upcoming event!

The Contemporary Definition of Mindfulness is Incomplete

WTM Mindful Musings May 19, 2023May 19, 2023

The contemporary definition of mindfulness as outlined by Jon Kabat-Zinn is: “Awareness of the present moment on purpose, in a particular way and non-judgmentally.” Is being non-judgmental with our experience the end point of mindfulness, or is there more to it?

Originally from historic Theravada Buddhism one of the main goals of mindfulness was to act skillfully. Apparently JKZ deliberately did not include acting skillfully in the definition. He stated: “Clinical psychologists want very linear and easy to understand definitions. One can’t understand mindfulness with your thinking mind. It is like a koan.” A koan is a puzzle that Zen Buddhists use in their practice to help reveal greater insights through non-conceptual intuition.

That may be true, but most people who practice mindfulness are not Zen practitioners. They want a clear definition and roadmap that outlines what mindfulness is and what is its purpose. According to the definition it seems that the end point is to be non-judgmental. This explains how one is in relationship with the present moment but not what do you do next. The ultimate goal of mindfulness is not to be non-judgmental but to act skillfully in an ethical and non-harming manner. The contemporary definition of mindfulness is misleading!

by Dr. Phil Blustein

Liberation is the Transformation from the Suffering of Being Me to the Freedom of Me Being

WTM Mindful Musings May 10, 2023May 10, 2023

Who do you believe you are? What relatively fixed beliefs do you hold about your sense of self? Do you see yourself as quiet, invisible, agreeable, submissive, the good boy or girl, guilty, shameful, powerful or demanding? We are a self-fulfilling prophecy of our personal narrative and constantly act to meet the expectations we hold of our personal image. Every moment the actions of our sense of self are interpreted if they are congruent or incongruent with how we believe we should be in this world. We suffer as we believe we are not perfect. We are constantly trying to meet the unmet needs of our conditioned history. We are our story.

Is this the only way we can be in this world? With repeated reflective practice and discernment there is the capacity to move beyond the conditioned construct of the sense of self and rest in one’s authentic self. This is a space of unification and wholeness. An integration of inner child wounding to rest in a sense of self that acts through non-self-referential discernment rather than self-referential judgment. Is the present moment an expression of ethics, morality, compassion, wisdom and non-harming?

To also rest in Presence or Self that exists beyond the conditionality of self. This embodies an innate compassion, wisdom, joy and interconnectedness. A space that allows for the expression of one’s unique gift calling to live through you. Can one just rest in this essence? Nothing to do. Just be!

We can suffer in BEING ME or rest in the contentment of ME BEING.

by Dr. Phil Blustein

George Costanza from Seinfeld on the Essence of Self

WTM Mindful Musings April 9, 2023April 19, 2023

“Remember Jerry it’s not a lie if you believe it“

The truth of self is that it feels real but it is not true.

by Dr. Phil Blustein

Are You Attentive or Mindful

WTM Mindful Musings March 21, 2023April 19, 2023

How often have you heard: “Be mindful when you eat, drink your tea or coffee, take a shower or bath, talk, walk etc.” There is mindfulness for sex, poker, work, sports, eating. The main emphasis seems to be on paying attention to what you are doing! Does this make a thief or sniper mindful? They are certainly focused. Is this what mindfulness is all about?

I believe that being attentive is confused as mindfulness. There is no question that the first aspect of mindfulness is to be aware. If one is not aware then one is trapped in the automatic reaction to what is happening and you can’t do anything about it. The problem is that there is no direction on what happens after you are aware. Mindfulness is multifaceted. It is about developing a skillful relationship with the present moment. There are multiple components present. Awareness, embodiment, compassion, insight into the true nature of reality and self leading to non-attachment to self and subsequent skillful and ethical action.

Be aware but just don’t stop there!

by Dr. Phil Blustein

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