With technology advancing at such a quick pace over the last 20 years, the world we live in has become a very busy place.  As a result, our lives and our minds have become very busy making it difficult to focus or concentrate.  We attempt to multitask, but that is impossible causing us to be more stressed than productive.

We all have an inner dialogue that occurs when we think, a thought pops into our mind and we decide to continue to attach problems to that thought instead of letting it go. These internal conversations can cause us to be too focused on the future which creates anxiety or too focused on the past which creates depression, or both.

The basic process of mindfulness involves setting an intention of what you pay attention to and returning your attention to this when you notice your mind has wandered.  It is completely normal for thoughts to wander but when this happens, we lose focus of what we are doing. For example when driving we might be thinking about our grocery store list, or a recent argument with a friend and because we are lost in thought we miss our turn or exit and have to turn around.

Mindfulness is not about having no thoughts but noticing when you are not paying attention to what you have chosen to pay attention to, accept that your mind has wandered and do not judge yourself or the thought and then return to what you are supposed to be paying attention to.

(in•joy)

(v.) Having internal joy. Injoy is stronger than enjoy. For injoyed is more of joy filling you from inside of yourself. 

inJOY Meditation Studios: Dispelling the myths of meditation

Meditation is NOT

  • a “zen” experience

  • a quick cure-all

  • a way to stop thoughts or clear the mind

  • a mindless formula that gives automatic and predictable results

  • instant enlightenment

  • a difficult task you force upon yourself

  • a religious practice or belonging to any religion, culture or group

  • JUST a relaxation technique

  • denying or “running away” from reality

Meditation is

  • a practice

  • mental fitness for your brain

  • a tool for handling stress in a more productive way

  • training the mind to not be caught up in distractions or over thinking

  • development of self awareness

  • concentration of the mind

  • inner joy and contentment

  • releasing tension

  • observation of self

  • beneficial for work productivity and focus

Drop in, sit with us and experience how being part of a meditation community can bring more JOY to your life.

 

 

“May we be a breath of life to the body of human kind.” - Max Strom