"What is the difference between Mindfulness and Meditation?" Basically, mindfulness is a meditation technique. Meditation can be described as the undisturbed flow of attention that may result in identification with what is contemplated or insight into or accurate knowledge of it. This is clear awareness of what is happening as it happens. Also, meditation may be a method for stilling the mind; bringing the mind to a state of stillness or tranquility.
Mindfulness is the process of attaining "insight", clear awareness of the moment, in the moment. This is the primary type of meditation we teach as a foundation for Qigong and Taiji practice, and as an introduction to meditation via our Mindfulness Workshops. In this sense, mindfulness is experienced through the practice of sitting meditation, but it can also be developed in meditative movement (Taiji, Qigong, Yoga, Walking) and is ultimately cultivated to the point that we place ourselves in a "mindful" state for all activities, even sleep. As such, mindfulness is therapeutic and functional regardless of whether one has an interest in spiritual practice or not. Mindfulness is taught to organizations, as counseling therapy, to athletes, and to martial artists, etc...
But there is a meditative process that goes beyond day-to-day mindfulness. Meditation can be utilized for deeper, more spiritually-oriented practice. In this sense, we are not only observing the mind, we are investigating the nature of ultimate reality, and of our true Self. In basic mindfulness practice we investigate our minds, bodies, emotions, and sense of awareness. In a deeper meditative state--Superconscious Meditation--we are investigating that which is underlying all experience; that which exists before the mind; that which is aware of the sense of awareness. Superconsciousness is "superior to ordinary waking, subconscious, and unconscious states. [It is] the substratum or underlying characteristic of our essence of being that supports other states of consciousness and intellectual and mental capacities (Roy Eugene Davis)."
Twenty minutes a day of mindfulness practice has immense value to our health and well being. As most of you know, I recommend it highly. But beyond that, there is the possibility of an even deeper sense of peace and grounding, even of transcendence, of gaining a solid understanding of Reality and of our true nature. This can be found through long sessions (45 minutes +) of Superconscious meditation and by living an intentional lifestyle. I also recommend this highly.
In either case, you simply can't go wrong. Feel free to contact me for more info. For a list of opportunities, check here: http://intaiji.weebly.com/training-opportunities.html
Mindfulness is the process of attaining "insight", clear awareness of the moment, in the moment. This is the primary type of meditation we teach as a foundation for Qigong and Taiji practice, and as an introduction to meditation via our Mindfulness Workshops. In this sense, mindfulness is experienced through the practice of sitting meditation, but it can also be developed in meditative movement (Taiji, Qigong, Yoga, Walking) and is ultimately cultivated to the point that we place ourselves in a "mindful" state for all activities, even sleep. As such, mindfulness is therapeutic and functional regardless of whether one has an interest in spiritual practice or not. Mindfulness is taught to organizations, as counseling therapy, to athletes, and to martial artists, etc...
But there is a meditative process that goes beyond day-to-day mindfulness. Meditation can be utilized for deeper, more spiritually-oriented practice. In this sense, we are not only observing the mind, we are investigating the nature of ultimate reality, and of our true Self. In basic mindfulness practice we investigate our minds, bodies, emotions, and sense of awareness. In a deeper meditative state--Superconscious Meditation--we are investigating that which is underlying all experience; that which exists before the mind; that which is aware of the sense of awareness. Superconsciousness is "superior to ordinary waking, subconscious, and unconscious states. [It is] the substratum or underlying characteristic of our essence of being that supports other states of consciousness and intellectual and mental capacities (Roy Eugene Davis)."
Twenty minutes a day of mindfulness practice has immense value to our health and well being. As most of you know, I recommend it highly. But beyond that, there is the possibility of an even deeper sense of peace and grounding, even of transcendence, of gaining a solid understanding of Reality and of our true nature. This can be found through long sessions (45 minutes +) of Superconscious meditation and by living an intentional lifestyle. I also recommend this highly.
In either case, you simply can't go wrong. Feel free to contact me for more info. For a list of opportunities, check here: http://intaiji.weebly.com/training-opportunities.html
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