Nine Powerful Meditation Tips from Jon Kabat-Zinn – Melli O’Brien
Contents
In the series of short videos below, Jon Kabat-Zinn gives us 9 meditation tips. I think you’ll find them very helpful and insightful (I certainly did).
As many of you know meditation is the formal practice of mindfulness (formal meaning that we take specific time out of our lives to practice mindfulness (the informal practice is called the rest of your life!))
Here Jon shares with us the what he calls the 9 attitudes that create a strong foundation for mindfulness and meditation practice.
Introduction to the 9 Attitudes
Non-Judging
When we start to truly pay attention in the present moment, we will discover that we have opinions and judgements on every thing. Here Jon talks about how we can cultivate non-judgemental awareness…
Patience
Jon points out how impatience continuously takes us out of the present moment. He offers us suggestions for how we can truly enjoy and embody the present moment by not rushing things.
Beginners Mind
Here Jon explains the importance of having a beginners mind when practicing mindfulness. A beginners mind is one where we are fully present to the miracle of life as it unfolds because allow ourselves to experience events as if it was the first time.
Trust
We can cultivate a deep trust in ourselves and our own deepest nature. We can cultivate a deep trust in life. A good place to start cultivating trust is to begin with ourself and our body. He tells us why and how here…
Non-Striving
Non-doing or non-striving is about not trying to get anywhere else and just allowing things to be held in awareness and be as they are without having to do something about it, without any agenda. Here Jon Kabat-Zinn relates to us why the attitude of non-striving is one that is healing, restorative and nurturing.
Letting Go
Letting go is the opposite of clinging or grasping. Letting go is a reminder to us not to grasp or cling to what we want and just let things be as they are. When we cultivate this attitude we will save ourselves from a lot of pain and unhappiness. Letting go is the door to freedom.
Gratitude and Generosity
Gratitude allows to to be aware of the wonder and abundance of the present moment and not take things for granted. Generosity brings joy to others as it is a manifestion that you care and are present for them. Gratitute and generosity enhance our interconnectedness with one another.
I hope you gained as much value from Jon’s meditation tips as I did. If you want to discover some practical ways to bring more mindfulness into your daily life check out my post 11 Ways to Bring More Mindfulness Into Your Life Today