Mindfulness refers to a state of being present in the moment without judgment, while awareness refers to a heightened sense of consciousness or understanding.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the practice of present-moment awareness. It is the quality of being aware and present in the here and now, without judgment. Mindfulness is about noticing things as they are, rather than how we think they should be.
What is awareness?
Awareness, on the other hand, is a wider lens that includes mindfulness. It’s the ability to be aware of our thoughts and feelings as well as our surroundings. We can be aware of what’s happening in the present moment, but we can also be aware of our past experiences and memories or our future plans and goals. Awareness gives us a bigger picture view than mindfulness alone. In other words, awareness is about understanding our thoughts and feelings without getting lost in them.
Benefits of being mindful and aware
Mindfulness can help you to stay in the moment and be more aware of your thoughts and feelings, while awareness can help you to understand why you’re thinking or feeling certain things.
Both mindfulness and awareness are important tools for managing stress, anxiety, and depression. Mindfulness can help you to cope with difficult emotions by allowing you to sit with them without judgement, while awareness can help you to understand the root cause of your distress.
If you’re looking to start a practice of mindfulness or awareness, there are many resources available online or through apps like Headspace or Calm.com.
The development of awareness requires time and effort, but it can ultimately lead to a profound transformation in our lives. By deepening our understanding of reality, we can learn to let go of our attachments and fears, and find lasting peace and happiness.
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
