There’s a huge difference between merely existing and truly living. The difference boils down to mindfulness.
Mindfulness, simply put, is living in the present moment, with awareness and without judgment. It’s about reining in our scattered thoughts and focusing on the now.
Becoming a more mindful person doesn’t happen overnight, but in 60 days? It’s absolutely achievable.
As Lachlan Brown, founder of Hack Spirit and a devotee of mindfulness and Buddhism, I’m going to share with you eight simple things you can start doing today to become a happier, more mindful person in just two months’ time.
Life is short. Start living it mindfully.
1) Start with mindfulness meditation
When we talk about mindfulness, the first thing that often comes to mind is meditation. And there’s a good reason for that.
Meditation is a tried-and-true method of cultivating mindfulness. It’s like a gym workout for your brain – it strengthens your ability to focus on the present moment and let go of stress and worry.
I’ve dedicated years to the study and practice of mindfulness and Buddhism. And it all started with meditation.
So how can you incorporate meditation into your daily routine?
It’s simpler than you might think. Start with just five minutes each day. Find a quiet place, sit comfortably, close your eyes, and focus on your breath. When thoughts arise – as they invariably will – acknowledge them without judgment and return your focus to your breath.
Over time, you’ll find it easier to stay in the moment, not just during your daily meditation, but throughout your day as well. You’ll feel calmer, less reactive, and more content.
Mindfulness is a journey, not a destination. So be patient with yourself and celebrate each small step you take towards becoming a more mindful and happy person.
2) Make gratitude a daily habit
Gratitude is another powerful tool in the mindfulness toolbox. Making a daily habit of gratitude can shift your focus from what’s wrong in your life to what’s right, leading to a greater sense of contentment and happiness.
I’ve made it a point to end each day by writing down three things I’m grateful for. It can be as simple as a good cup of coffee, a kind word from a friend, or a beautiful sunset. This simple act has helped me stay grounded and appreciative of the small joys in life.
In the words of Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned Buddhist monk and mindfulness expert, “The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly alive.”
Gratitude isn’t about ignoring life’s challenges. It’s about finding balance and joy in the midst of them. And that, my friend, is a key step towards becoming a happier, more mindful person.
3) Embrace impermanence
One of the core teachings of Buddhism is the concept of impermanence. Everything in life, including life itself, is temporary and ever-changing. This might sound a bit bleak, but it’s actually a liberating truth when embraced.
Often, we find ourselves clinging to things, people, or situations, craving permanence in a world that’s inherently impermanent. This clinging is a major source of suffering.
By acknowledging and accepting impermanence, we can learn to let go of this craving for control and certainty. We can learn to appreciate the present moment without clinging to it or fearing its passing.
It’s not easy to accept the transient nature of life. It can be uncomfortable and even scary. But it’s also a powerful path to freedom and peace. As Buddha said, “The root of suffering is attachment.”
Embracing impermanence is about living in harmony with the way things are, rather than how we want them to be. And that, in essence, is what mindfulness is all about.
4) Practice mindful eating
We all have to eat, right? But how often do we really pay attention to what we’re eating, how it tastes, and how it makes us feel?
Mindful eating is all about bringing full attention to the experience of eating and drinking, both inside and outside the body. It’s about noticing colors, smells, textures, flavors, temperatures, and even sounds of our food without judgment.
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to eat while distracted – working, watching TV, or checking our phones. But when we do this, we miss out on much of the joy that food can bring. Plus, we’re more likely to overeat and less likely to notice when we’re full.
Mindful eating brings us back to the here and now, enhancing our appreciation of the food while also helping us make healthier choices.
It’s a simple practice but can be profoundly impactful. Try it with your next meal. Turn off the distractions, take a moment to appreciate the food before you, and savor each bite. You might be surprised at the difference it makes.
5) Live with maximum impact and minimum ego
This one’s a biggie. The ego can be a major roadblock on the path to mindfulness. It’s often our ego that keeps us stuck in harmful patterns of thought and behavior.
I’ve spent a lot of time grappling with this concept in my own mindfulness journey. That’s why I dedicated an entire section to it in my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego.
Learning to step back and observe our ego at work can be a game-changer. It allows us to see how it influences our thoughts, emotions, and actions, often not for the better.
When we learn to take our ego out of the driver’s seat, we free ourselves up to live more authentically. We become more open to new experiences, more compassionate towards others, and kinder to ourselves.
Reducing the influence of our ego isn’t about denying who we are. It’s about recognizing that we are more than our thoughts, more than our feelings, and certainly more than our ego. And that realization can lead to a deeper sense of peace and happiness.
6) Cultivate compassion
Compassion is at the heart of mindfulness and Buddhism. It’s about recognizing the suffering in ourselves and others, and responding with kindness and understanding.
We often judge ourselves harshly, getting caught up in self-criticism and negative self-talk. This can lead to feelings of unworthiness and unhappiness.
But what if we treated ourselves with the same kindness we show to a good friend? This is where self-compassion comes in. It’s about being gentle with ourselves when we’re struggling, rather than beating ourselves up.
And it doesn’t stop with self-compassion. Compassion extends to others as well. By practicing empathy and understanding, we can foster stronger, more meaningful relationships.
As the Dalai Lama once said, “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”
Cultivating compassion isn’t always easy. It requires patience, understanding, and forgiveness. But the rewards are immense – peace of mind, stronger relationships, and a deeper sense of connection with ourselves and others.
7) Practice mindful breathing
Breathing. It’s something we do every minute of every day, without even thinking about it. But what happens when we do start paying attention to it?
Mindful breathing is a simple yet powerful practice. It involves focusing your attention on your breath, the inhale and exhale, without judging or trying to change it.
This practice can help you become more grounded in the present moment. It can serve as an anchor, bringing you back to the here and now whenever your mind starts to wander.
Jon Kabat-Zinn, a renowned mindfulness expert, said, “Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts.”
In moments of stress or anxiety, try taking a few moments to focus solely on your breath. Notice how it feels as it enters your body, and how it feels as it leaves. This simple act can slow down racing thoughts and bring a sense of calm and clarity.
Mindfulness isn’t about emptying your mind of thoughts. It’s about becoming an observer of those thoughts without getting caught up in them. And mindful breathing can be a very effective way to do that.
8) Do nothing
Yes, you read that right. One of the most effective ways to become a more mindful person is to regularly do absolutely nothing.
In our busy, productivity-obsessed society, the idea of doing nothing can seem counterintuitive, even wasteful. But it’s in these moments of stillness that we can truly be present.
Take a few minutes each day to simply sit and be. No distractions, no tasks. Just you and your thoughts. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but with time, you’ll start to appreciate these moments of quiet.
Doing nothing allows us to step back from the constant stream of thoughts and stimuli that usually occupy our minds. It can help us gain perspective and recognize that we are more than our thoughts and emotions.
This isn’t about being lazy or unproductive. It’s about intentionally taking time to just be, allowing ourselves space to breathe, reflect, and simply exist in the moment. And in this quiet space, mindfulness can flourish.
Conclusion
And there you have it, eight practices that can help you become a more mindful and happy person in just 60 days. Remember, mindfulness isn’t about reaching a destination, but about embarking on a lifelong journey. It’s about living fully in the present, with acceptance and without judgment.
If you’re interested in delving deeper into mindfulness and Buddhism, I invite you to check out my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego. It’s packed with insights and practical tips to help you live a life of greater peace, happiness, and authenticity.
Remember, being mindful isn’t about changing who you are; it’s about recognizing and embracing your true self. And the first step on that journey is simply to start. So why not start today?
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