“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes…”
Mindfulness reminds us to to be present in this moment. To do so it helps to be relaxed and to relax one of keys is to Accept the way things are.
Acceptance is a important step to shift our thinking from always wanting to control the way we want things to be or struggling with the way things are.
Acceptance does not mean that we accept our conditions and not do anything else. Rather we accept so that we can respond from a place of wisdom vs. reacting.
Listen to our Podcast & Guided Meditation on Acceptance:
Accepting actively the way things are instead of the way we want them to be. We can accept or we can spend our effort wanting things to be otherwise and forcing them to be to our liking. If we can accept then brings freedom and gives us space to be present to then respond with a choice. A choice that comes from a place of calmness.
There are Seven attitudinal foundations of mindfulness described by Jon Kabat-Zinn as the “major pillars of mindfulness practice”. The second one is Acceptance: First step towards being in the moment is Acknowledging and accepting things just the way they are. With acceptance comes freedom. It opens us to a window to wisdom.
Try below practice to cultivate Acceptance as part of your Mindfulness meditation:
REFLECT: As you settle, on Acceptance – what thoughts come to mind? What are you easily able to accept and what events, people, thing are harder to accept?
See if you can Note your thoughts, feelings and sensations without getting hooked into the experience. If you feel any light or strong emotions like anger, anxiety, feelings like worry.
RESPOND: Come back to breathing, slow deep breathing. Let go of whats not needed, accepting things as they are. Let breath help you calm and from here decide with your power of choice – what you want and choose to do.
INTEGRATE: Remember this “Acceptance” exercise. Breathe Relax, Accept and Choose what you would like to focus on.
About the Author of Quote: Lao Tzu, also rendered as Laozi and Lao-Tze, was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer. He is the reputed author of the Tao Te Ching, the founder of philosophical Taoism, and a deity in religious Taoism and traditional Chinese religions.
Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present in the moment. Mindfulness has many benefits for us at work and in personal life, such as increased focus and happiness. The practice can help us reduce stress and anxiety.
What it is: Mindfulness can be defined as ‘Non-judgmental, moment to moment awareness’
What it isn’t: Emptying the mind, Achieving Relaxation or Religion.
READ MORE on What is Mindfulness Meditation?
