Is there a difference between Mindfulness and Meditation?
1 February 2023
Why, of course there is… There surely is a difference between mindfulness and meditation.
Mindfulness and meditation are two complementary techniques, not however interchangeable. When used in collaboration can help you feel more connected, aligned, grounded and healthy on all levels.
Mindfulness and meditation date back as early as 1500 BCE (Before Common Era) and ever since then have been growing practices in the public consciousness of all societies.
Practices that many are actually experiencing throughout their daily lives and may not even be aware of. Whether one is intentionally practicing living intentionally in the present moment or not, both mindfulness and meditation offer a way to decrease suffering and increase our level of happiness.
A combination of the quiet, awakening experience of daily mindfulness with a more formal, organized meditation practice is the most effective way to bring about harmony and grounding and many other health benefits.
Learn the differences so that you may embrace both to the highest of their potentials.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention to the present. This state is described as observing one’s thoughts and feelings without judging them as good or bad. It is the opposite of mindlessness. It means waking up out of the autopilot state of living and taking the steering wheel of your attention back again…
Just like our bodies, our minds need training to function at their best. Mindfulness is a form of mental training that supports the mind to be more focused, effective, and present to what we are doing as we are doing it.
What is meditation?
Meditation is a mental exercise that trains attention and awareness. Its main goal is to soften reactivity to one’s negative thoughts and feelings, which even though may be extremely disturbing and upsetting, even hijacking from moment to moment they are invariably ephemeral.
Going into a meditative state involves learning to become a passive observer of one’s thoughts. It does not mean suppressing them or attempting to force them to melt away. Just like developing any other skill, meditation requires regularity of practice and many people report feeling the benefits of meditation immediately after their first session.
A few differences between mindfulness and meditation
While there are many definitions of each concept, the differences are apparent in the two. Meditation is a practice and through this practice one can develop different qualities, including mindfulness.
Even though these exercise go hand-in-hand there are quite a few differences to note:
Meditation is one of the many paths to mindful living.
The practice of meditation is one of the many methods which someone may learn to live mindfully. It is a tool to develop mindful behavior. Meditation is a way to plant the seeds of mindfulness and water them so that they grow throughout our lives.
Mindfulness can be practiced formally and informally.
A few of the many informal ways to practice mindfulness include mindful eating, mindful walking and even mindful conversation. Unlike meditation which requires a formal sitting period with focused concentration, mindfulness goes far and beyond…
Mindfulness is only one aspect of meditation.
Mindfulness is a very important part of a meditation practice, however other factors make meditation special such as concentration, intention setting, visualizations and so on. Meditation is a tangible activity to exercise and strengthen mindful awareness. It is our access point to greater awareness.
Mindfulness is about thought watching whereas meditation is about letting go of thoughts.
Mindfulness involves observing your thoughts as they float in and out of your mind without your effort. Realizing after a while that you are not your thoughts, that you do not need to identify nor relate to them. Meditation is all about letting go of these thoughts, letting go of the self , of all ego, this is the way of meditation.
Meditation and mindfulness both play a crucial role in an ever competitive and stressful world that we live in. practicing meditation regularly can help you live mindfully in the world, allowing you to become a better, kinder, and more compassionate version of yourself.
A few similarities that both mindfulness and meditation share
Some very common similarities, both mindfulness and meditation offer and demand skills that support your well-being and mental clarity.
- Both help to hold us accountable and responsible for our thoughts
- Both assist us to sharpen our focus and concentration skills
- Both work to help us find inner peace and relax bodies
- Both improve our self-awareness and self knowledge
- Both may be practiced at any time of day and for as long as one desires
“Einstein said that we can’t solve our problems from the level of thinking that we were at when we created them”
“A different level of thinking doesn’t mean just a different emphasis in our thinking, or a more loving kind of thinking. It means a different level of thinking, and, to all those who tread the path of, that is what meditation is. Meditation changes us, as it returns us to our right, tranquil and aligned mind.”
So what are you waiting for…? If not now, when…?
Always here, always yours,
KC The Greek Shaman
