Difference Between Mindfulness and Meditation

February 2, 2021
Griff

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Are you confused about what mindfulness and meditation mean?

Nowadays, the terms mindfulness and meditation get used synonymouslyy, some would even point to both of them as two the same terms.

In this article, we will make our attempt to clear it up for you. Let’s start by understanding each one.

What is Meditation?

Meditation is a physical activity that typically refers to a formal and seated meditation practice.

There are several types of meditation – this includes expanding your personal awareness, experiencing your inner peace, opening your heart, and calming your mind.

Meditation is an intentional practice that focuses on promoting the increase of concentration, calmness, emotional balance, and awareness. If you want to start your meditation, then you can consider starting practising the mantra meditation. Here are the steps in doing it:

Set aside few minutes and be comfortable, Be in a quiet room, free from distractions. As you repeatedly practice, you will soon find yourself able to practice mantra meditation under any chaotic circumstance.
Choose a mantra for your meditation – You can start with the simple mantra mediation: ‘So Hum’

Do this by repeating the mantra ‘So Hum’ to yourself silently and by slowly letting it synch into your breath.
As you inhale, you silently repeat the word ‘So’ and do the same as you exhale by silently repeating ‘Hum’.
Continue the rhythm by breathing slowly and aligning the mantra to your breath. Take your time and do not rush the process.
Do this for several minutes – Continue to repeat the mantra and focus. You can start with 5 or 10-minute sessions and work up to having 20 or 30-minutes of mantra meditation. When the time has already ended, gently release the mantra and slowly open your eyes.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness draws one to the act of being fully aware. It is the ability to pay attention and notice your feelings, thoughts, behaviour, and other personal manifestations.

The ability to be mindful can be practiced through showing up and being fully engaged in the present reality.

Mindfulness is living a mindful way and paying attention to what is around you. This means that you are free from the past and the future. It means that you can be present and away from the what if’s, maybe’s, and judgment of doing the right or wrong. Mindfulness is being present without distraction.

The act of mindfulness can be practiced both formally (through seated meditation) and informally (at any time and any place). In meditation, your mindfulness is being boosted and you may consider doing it.

Practicing mindfulness can help you with your day to day tasks. For it is revealed that it can be difficult for the human mind to be in the present moment. In a study conducted by Harvard, it was found that people spend 46.9 percent of their daily waking hours thinking of something other than the present tasks that they are working on.

Final Thoughts

Indeed, meditation and mindfulness are different.

Both of them can help you to be present which can draw you be more appreciative of what you have and be able to mindfully live your life.

Key Facts

Meditation and mindfulness can be used interchangeably; however, there are some key differences.
Meditation is the act of putting time aside to practice a specific meditation technique
Mindfulness can be practised anywhere and is simply the act of bringing yourself into the present moment and awareness to what you are currently doing

Griff Williams

MindEasy founder & meditation teacher

Griff Williams is an accredited meditation teacher and founder of MindEasy. He spent 12 years working as a London firefighter before changing paths to pursue building MindEasy. He received his diploma in meditation teaching from The British School of Meditation.