How to practice mindfulness in a busy world

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Mindfulness and the ability to be fully present in the moment builds up resilience. It lowers stress levels and promotes relaxation, and can be considered as a strong weapon in surviving the complexities of today’s fast-paced world. Those who make a living in a high-stress environment can benefit from meditating, and here are some ways to effectively practice mindfulness.


Consider driving as a form of meditation. Traffic brings out the worst in people as it promotes impatience, agitation, and anxiety. While driving, you can switch between being mindful as you have your hands on the steering wheel, making small turns to keep the car centered. Use your breath as your focal point without steering your attention away from the streets.

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Avoid rushing and give yourself time to reach one place to another. It is easy to always rush and limit yourself when you need to be somewhere else. To reduce stress, make it a habit to leave15 to 25 minutes earlier than you have to. Give yourself more time to get ready, walk, or do anything to help you breathe and be mindful.


Turn to imagery. Imagining yourself in a peaceful setting eases physical tension and anxiety. It is different from person to person, but others find peace and mindfulness when they imagine themselves sitting on a quiet beach or walking through a thick forest by the river.


Brooklyn-based parent and teacher Jonah Engler enjoys cooking, meditation, and other healing activities. He practices mindfulness and other teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. Some of the organizations he supports are the Children of Promise foundation, the United Federation of Teachers, and the Buddhist center Nalanda Institute. For more articles like this, visit this page .

How to teach your children effective and fun meditation techniques

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It’s never too early to teach your children meditation. In fact, there has been a growing interest in meditation and yoga practices among children as a means to relax and connect to their inner calm. Even if you are not a certified yoga instructor or meditation expert, you can still teach your child the basic principles of meditation. Here are some ways.


Emphasize the importance of anchored breathing. Those who regularly practice meditation, no matter in what degree, know that its basic principle is breathing. Advise kids to be conscious of their breathing by touching their chest or stomach to notice the body’s movement. By shifting their full attention to their breathing, they can be fully present at that moment.


Teach how to let go of thoughts. It could be a challenge to ask children to clear their minds and thoughts, but you can do it effectively by tapping into their playful imagination. Describe a setting in which they would have to clear things out, or go to a place where they would have to leave something behind. While describing a safe scenario, instruct them that they would have to clear their thoughts and leave their thoughts behind.

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Set intentions and be patient. There could be many questions asked during a meditation session with kids, so be prepared to answer them without losing your patience. Teach them the concept of setting intentions and rid of “end goals,” to ease the pressure off.


Jonah Engler of Brooklyn, New York, is involved in organizations such as the Children of Promise foundation, the United Federation of Teachers, and the Buddhist center Nalanda Institute. For more reading material about mindfulness, parenthood, and meditation, visit this page.

Renouncing attachment: A cornerstone of Buddhist thought

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One of the most famous tenets of Buddhist philosophy is also among the most misunderstood. Taking on many names, the renunciation of attachment is the foundation for the Buddhist’s journey to enlightenment.


To the casual layperson, this tenet and others related to it seem almost discouraging, a far cry from the joy associated with following the path. They must be framed in the context of the noble truths of Buddhism before the notion of detachment can be understood.


The first of these truths is that life is suffering. The word used in the original Sanskrit, “dukkha,” could also be translated to “dissatisfaction,” which carries the same weight. The second truth reveals that life’s sufferings come from attachment, detachment, and hatred. We are unsatisfied with our lives because we separate our identities from the world; likewise, we feel attached to impermanent material things.

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The third and fourth truths hinge on attaining freedom from suffering and following the path toward it. One of which, therefore is the rejection of attachment. This acknowledgment of non-attachment even includes the ones we have to our own lives. We often separate our identities from the world, clouding ourselves from our true nature and becoming preoccupied with the impermanent as a result.


Often, people see non-attachment as severing ties with our everyday lives. In truth, it is merely acknowledging inherent non-attachment, a recognition of the impermanence of material things and earthly lives. We shouldn’t be preoccupied with keeping these things and should learn to let things go when the time comes.


Jonah Engler is a follower of Tibetan Buddhism and an ardent practitioner of mindfulness and meditation. This blog shares updates on Buddhism, modern art, and the importance of mindfulness.