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Mindfulness has several benefits, one of them being the ability to cultivate a stronger mind. Bad thoughts tend to stick in our minds like glue and it can be hard to get them to let go and if they do, they always come right back around. When you’re letting these thoughts cloud up your mind, you’re left feeling out of place and foggy.
When you’re being mindful, that way of thinking is like the shovel that’s clearing all the junk out of your head. It clears up space in your brain so you can see clearly again. Your negative thoughts suddenly lose their ability to stick in your mind and ruin your day. They simply float away like leaves in the wind, as if they’re just passing through. How to silence the inner critic We all have that inner critic that screams at us from the back of our mind and we have a tendency to take what it says a little too seriously. When you’re being mindful and aware, you learn to not carry around the little things that critic says about you. You’re able to detach yourself from your critic and not get caught up in the negativity it’s trying to spread around. But the best way to get to that point of non-identification, you have to actually listen to that inner critic without taking anything it says to heart. Non identification is the idea that you no longer hold onto thoughts that your inner critic is saying. Examine what it is that critic is saying and realize that those things are not accurate and definitely not helpful to your personal growth. The more you understand where these thoughts are coming from, the more you’re able to identify with the parts of your psyche that are kind and clear. This positive voice inside your head will be the one you can turn to for advice and for support. The more you do this, the less likely you are to listen to that critic who has nothing but negativity to offer you. One more useful strategy to silence the critic. Another way to work on non identification is working on your emotional reactivity. When something happens that isn’t to your liking, do you often get swept up in your emotions whether that be anger, sadness, etc.? In these times, it’s best to step outside yourself for a moment and try to see thing from the other person’s perspective. Perhaps they were even right in the argument or discussion you were having. Defensiveness is a poor reaction to any situation. When your critic is screaming out judgments at you, take it with a grain of salt. They’re just opinions and they have no bearing in your life, so let them just roll off your back like it’s nothing. Don’t take ownership One more tool to grasp non identification is not taking ownership of the negative criticism and thoughts. When we screw up, sometimes our brain’s first reaction is to start criticizing right off the bat. “You could have done better than that!” it shouts. But these thoughts aren’t you. Don’t take the burden on by taking responsibility for these thoughts. Let them go and don’t take them so personally. A 6 step reflective meditation technique Now let’s try a reflective meditation to try and practice non identification with your inner critic. 1. Close your eyes and picture that your mind is as wide and open as the sky. 2. Look at the sky and let your mind dance with that space so that you end up feeling just as vast. 3. Your thoughts are the clouds that you see passing by. 4. Now picture one of your negative thoughts is attached to that cloud and watch as it passes by. 5. Take some time to notice how that negative thought doesn’t stick to the sky around it. It simple keeps on moving through the empty space, just like it should in the vast space of your mind. 6. When you feel ready, end the meditation and open your eyes. Take time to move slowly and stretch out your body. This exercise can help you visualize how to actually let the negativity roll off of you without worry. Being aware of your thoughts is much easier than trying to fight with them. So next time you feel the negativity flowing, picture the clouds and the sky and the vastness of your mind. Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for all the updates and news
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AuthorWe traveled the world and have the insight of hospitality & healthcare with great passion for style Archives
September 2017
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