Mindfulness

We decided to devote a page solely to Mindfulness, not because it has a long elaborate explanation, rather because it is the key that unlocks the door to Dialectical Behavioral Technique.

The basic concept of mindfulness is that in order for us to open up options for ourselves when we are suffering, we need to be fully aware of the circumstances surrounding that suffering. These circumstances may appear to be self-evident. However, there are so many things going on with us when our suffering is at its greatest. Going on inside and outside. Our environment has a lot of factors that are weighing in on our level of suffering.

Believe it or not, when we are not suffering, most of us are only aware of a fraction of all that there is to be aware of within us or around us. When we are suffering our awareness shrinks even more. There are options for every action, effective or ineffective. Options to speak, think, feel, or behave. These options are limited if we are not aware of everything that contributed to what we are experiencing.  To bring about a self-awareness that will improve our chances of effective choices, we need to practice being in the moment we are in, for what that moment truly is.

This is not meant to sound cryptic, or confusing. Trust us, when you are able to suffer in a mindful way, it will be a totally different experience. In fact, over time being mindful will reduce our suffering.

Mindfulness is a state of mind that enlists all your senses. What your hear, taste, smell, feel, and see. "My Life" will focus on using all these senses and help to construct the entire picture from all angles of our experience.

Mindfulness is paramount in your journey to recovery. Let's take this journey with wide open eyes, looking in all directions with awareness and curiosity.