Practicing Mindfulness Quotes

“Kindness is an essential part of practice—and that starts by being kind to yourself.”
― Matthew Sockolov, Practicing Mindfulness: 75 Essential Meditations to Reduce Stress, Improve Mental Health, and Find Peace in the Everyday

“This is the real secret of life—to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.” —ALAN WATTS, The Essence of Alan Watts”
― Matthew Sockolov, Practicing Mindfulness: 75 Essential Meditations to Reduce Stress, Improve Mental Health, and Find Peace in the Everyday

“You can be aware of the thinking mind while remaining unattached.”
― Matthew Sockolov, Practicing Mindfulness: 75 Essential Meditations to Reduce Stress, Improve Mental Health, and Find Peace in the Everyday

“When a judgment does arise, you can remind yourself that you do not need to believe it.”
― Matthew Sockolov, Practicing Mindfulness: 75 Essential Meditations to Reduce Stress, Improve Mental Health, and Find Peace in the Everyday

“Mindfulness may be more completely understood as being present with clarity, wisdom, and kindness.”
― Matthew Sockolov, Practicing Mindfulness: 75 Essential Meditations to Reduce Stress, Improve Mental Health, and Find Peace in the Everyday

“My first big insight came when I realized that my reactions to these experiences were causing me more pain than the experience itself.”
― Matthew Sockolov, Practicing Mindfulness: 75 Essential Meditations to Reduce Stress, Improve Mental Health, and Find Peace in the Everyday

“Mindfulness is simply being aware of what is happening right now without wishing it were different; enjoying the pleasant without holding on when it changes (which it will); being with the unpleasant without fearing it will always be this way (which it won’t).”
― Matthew Sockolov, Practicing Mindfulness: 75 Essential Meditations to Reduce Stress, Improve Mental Health, and Find Peace in the Everyday

“1Allow the eyes to close, and find a comfortable meditation posture. Begin by tuning in to the experience of the body breathing. Rest with each inhale and exhale as you feel the movement in the body. 2To energize the mind, you will start with the breath. With the inhalation, breathe in a sense of energy and awareness. Reach the body upward, straighten the spine, and open the chest. With the exhale, let go of sleepiness and distraction. 3After a minute or two, allow the eyes to open—letting light in can help us stay awake and clear. Continue practicing with the breath and notice any sights that grab your attention. 4Allow a few minutes to pass, and stand up. With your eyes open, standing on your feet, you are inviting increased alertness into your practice. It’s much harder to fall asleep standing up than sitting down! 5As you complete this exercise, take a moment to shake out your body and get some energy moving. Feel the warmth in your muscles as you move and go back to your day.”
― Matthew Sockolov, Practicing Mindfulness: 75 Essential Meditations to Reduce Stress, Improve Mental Health, and Find Peace in the Everyday

“With mindfulness you do not need to exclude any thought, emotion, or experience.”
― Matthew Sockolov, Practicing Mindfulness: 75 Essential Meditations to Reduce Stress, Improve Mental Health, and Find Peace in the Everyday

“6To close this meditation, take a minute to ask yourself what can be done. You don’t need to come up with a clear, step-by-step plan. Just offer the simplest solution possible. For example, if you’re worried about bills, recognize that you may need to save some money. Allow a basic solution to arise, and don’t dive more deeply into the story.”
― Matthew Sockolov, Practicing Mindfulness: 75 Essential Meditations to Reduce Stress, Improve Mental Health, and Find Peace in the Everyday