Live Whole Health #184: Using the senses to experience mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness may seem out of reach to those who are not very experienced with its techniques. Maybe you have heard of the benefits of slowing down and bringing attention to one moment, the here and now. Many people feel that when they practice mindful behavior, they are less reactive to stresses in their lives, that they feel more calm and more in control.

But where to start? This short mindfulness exercise is a great starting point! While mindful practices ask us to stop thinking and be present in this very moment, many wonder how to do that. How do we turn off the thinking part of our minds?

By asking us to pay attention to our senses like what sounds, smells or feelings we notice, our attention is on the present moment and not reliving a past experience or planning for the future. This is why the senses are a good starting point for practicing mindfulness. While being aware and focusing on the senses, it’s easier to stay in the present. In just a few minutes, listening to this practice can help you to better focus and practice mindfulness.

Follow along with Hang Ruan, a senior social worker with VA Puget Sound Health Care System and a meditation teacher with over 20 years of formal Zen training. This practice will encourage a mindful moment that is brief and a great introduction to a mindfulness practice.

For more experienced mindfulness practitioners, this brief episode can be played and enjoyed at any time a short break is needed to transition out of a stressful situation or to prepare for a busy day.