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Even if I were to write a book about all of the advantages of living in the moment, I wouldn't be able to cover them all. Living in the present offers so many advantages.
There are so many advantages to living in the present that writing a book about them would still be insufficient to explain them all. The following are a few of the many benefits of mindfulness practice.
1. Reduction of tension
Stress reduction is a clear benefit of mindfulness practice. Stress is, after all, an unavoidable part of life.
When you're at your best and performing at the top of your game, you need pressure. Stress, on the other hand, should not be excessive to the point of overwhelming you. You'll be worn out both physically and mentally if that's the case.
Anxiety is a common cause of stress and tension in people's lives. While at work, they are mulling over solutions to their marital issues.
They worry about how well they'll do in a presentation the following day when they should be spending time with their family. Your stress level will go down significantly if you can learn to stay more present.
2. Improved Capability
You can't perform at your best if you're constantly plagued by pessimistic thoughts. You'll be able to make better decisions if your mind is free of stress.
When your mind is cluttered with competing ideas, it's nearly impossible to make sound decisions. You'll have difficulty making logical inferences because your thinking will be slowed down.
Thoughts that are negative or misguided can have a negative impact on your preparation, and your preparation will have a negative impact on your performance as well. As a result of practicing mindfulness, you'll be able to calm your mind and make better decisions.
For this reason, a large number of world-renowned business leaders engage in regular meditation and mindfulness exercises. Keep your mind clear of jumbled-up thoughts by remaining present. This will help you perform better.
3. Enhanced Understanding
With insight, you can see things that others can't. It's an analytical ability that goes beyond the surface level and allows someone to comprehend a phenomenon or concept in an unusually in-depth manner.
Those with insight into a subject will be impressed by the simplicity with which they can delve into what appear to be complex issues.
Keep in mind that observational skills fuel insight. While this is going on, it's impossible to pay attention to anything when your mind is racing with disparate, unrelated thoughts.
A keen interest in a topic is required to analyze it properly, so you must control your monkey mind. You can keep your mind from running on autopilot by staying present.
4. Improved Consciousness
Wherever you are, you must be aware of what is going on around you. If you don't, you'll miss out on many chances to build meaningful connections with others.
When we inquire about someone's well-being, they will frequently respond with the ceremonial word "fine. Many times, these people have issues that they'll only discuss with someone who genuinely wants to know.
You need to give your full attention at work, but it's even more important when you're at home or with friends. You may find that as a parent, your children will have issues they want to talk about but will only tell you about if you persist.
If you ask them more than once, they'll get the impression that you don't care about what they think and are simply being nosy. When you practice mindfulness, you become more alert and ready to delve deeper if necessary.
5. A Greater Ability to empathize with Others
Selfishness is at an all-time high in today's increasingly cold world. People are inherently self-centered, and that tendency is growing worse by the minute.
In order to gain an unfair advantage over others, many people are coming up with increasingly sophisticated and shocking methods of exploiting others' intelligence.
Many hurtful and insensitive remarks about others can now be found on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
Thierry Henry, a well-known retired footballer who played for both Arsenal and Barcelona in his playing days, had recently decided to stop using social media because he felt unsafe doing so. The ability to empathize, or put yourself in another person's shoes, is rare in today's society.
With mindfulness, you can see things from others' points of view, which will help you treat them well.
6. Personal Relationships Are Improved
Improved interpersonal relationships are a byproduct of increased empathy and improved awareness. When we're around people who care about us, it's easier to open up and share our innermost thoughts and feelings with them.
Staying present allows you to pick up on nonverbal cues that can lead to insightful discussions.
Those close to you want to know that you have their best interests at heart. You don't have to tell them; they'll figure it out for themselves. They'd like to see you put on a show for them.
Words can only express so much; actions say a lot more.
When you become more aware of what's going on in the lives of the people around you, you'll gain the trust and connection of those people. When you ask them open-ended questions, they'll feel more comfortable sharing their feelings with you.
7. More positive outlook on life.
Disorders of the mind include but are not limited to, those such as depression and anxiety. An unstable and disturbed mind is almost always to blame for these issues.
Anxiety can take many forms, including phobias, which are irrational fears of a particular situation. In any case, they're all the product of a disturbed mind fearful of what might happen.
It's funny how some of the things that worry people about never come to fruition.
Many issues in today's society make it difficult for people to maintain sound minds. Bills are on the rise. People are unfaithful. Many people are under increasing amounts of pressure to demonstrate that they are not a bunch of losers.
In the right hands, the tension can be constructive.
The downside to not managing stress well is that it can lead to a variety of medical conditions, including high blood pressure. When people compare themselves negatively, it can lead to depression and other mental health problems.
MeditationLifeSkillsPodcast.com strives to present meditation concepts that connect east and west, tradition and science in a non-sectarian way, from multiple traditions, without promoting any particular technique or method.
One important principle I try to accomplish is to take complex ideas about meditation and the not-so-well understood meditation principles and help you understand how they can fit into your life.
To your success in meditation!
Don Weyant/Founder
MeditationLifeSkillsPodcast.com
NOTE: Listen to these meditation episodes as much as you want in a comfortable position, whether sitting or lying down. For best results, we strongly suggest listening with headphones.
***This work is not meant to replace medical or counseling guidance from a qualified practitioner. Please get professional care if you suffer from a physical or mental disease.
