Mindfulness

What is mindfulness?

When we are feeling stressed, anxious or sad, we are often worrying about what will happen in the future or ruminating about something that happened (or didn’t happen) in the past. This worry and rumination can take us away from what is happening right now – and is likely making the “right now” feel even worse. In these moments, engaging with the present moment through mindfulness can be helpful. A quick way we can be mindful and break the worry and rumination cycle is by grounding the in the ‘here and now’ – take a moment to press your back into the chair and ground your feet on the floor, or pick up your phone and notice what the experience is really like – how heavy is the phone? What does the screen feel like to touch? When we non-judgmentally notice where we are, what we are doing, and what we are feeling and thinking – we are being mindful!

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Want to try?

If you’re unsure which of these guided meditations to start with, it may be helpful to listen to one of the shorter files first and then progress from there.

Find a sitting or lying position that is comfortable and dignified feeling, then begin listening.

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These guided meditations were generously provided by Mark Miller, PsyD, MPH. Mark is aclinical psychologist in private practice in the Los Angeles area, meditation teacher at insightLA,and Coordinator at Mindful USC at University of Southern California.

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