Awareness (Presence of Mind): Being present “mentally”, wherever you are and whatever you are doing at that moment.
Why do we always think about past or future?
When we were kids, we used to be present always. While growing up, we learn lot of things and experience lot of things. Also we develop expectation about future. Our mind is cluttered with all this information. It’s natural for the mind to wander around this information.
What’s wrong if we think about past or future?
Being present is the normal behavior of the mind. If your mind wanders past and future, it takes lot of vital energy (Prana) from our body. It makes you tired and unhealthy. Also it doesn't make sense to think about past or future, when you are doing something in present. You can test yourself that whenever you are not present mentally at that moment, your breathing will be shallow and fast that means you are not using your full capacity of lungs to draw the air in in order to get proper oxygen supply to the body.
How to achieve the presence of mind?
1. Slow down the racing mind by doing simple meditation such as abdominal breathing.
1. Slow down the racing mind by doing simple meditation such as abdominal breathing.
2. Once you reach the calmer mindset through meditation, keep your awareness on your breath throughout the day so you keep connected to your body and surroundings. Remember the rate of your breath indicates the state of your mind. So, when your mind is calmer, your breath is slower and deeper and vice versa.
How to begin?
Whenever you get a thought about the past or the future, you say yourself, "It may be important, but, not now. I am doing....". Then focus on what you are doing. Keep practicing this simple tip throughout the day.
How to begin?
Whenever you get a thought about the past or the future, you say yourself, "It may be important, but, not now. I am doing....". Then focus on what you are doing. Keep practicing this simple tip throughout the day.
What are the benefits of awareness?
Improve your health: Since you are aware of your body and breath, you listen to your body when you are hungry, thirsty or tired. You eat when you are hungry, you drink when you are thirsty and you take rest when you are tired. This will improve your health. You can handle stress effectively. When you are present mentally, your breathing will be deep and your mind will be calmer.
More productive in your work: As you are not disturbed by past and future thoughts, you will focus more on what you are doing.
