The Mind Illuminated: A Complete Meditation Guide Integrating Buddhist Wisdom and Brain Science for Greater Mindfulness

In meditation, we work with both attention and peripheral awareness to cultivate stable attention and mindfulness, the two main practice objectives of meditation.

The condition in which the mind “stands back” to observe its own state and activities is called metacognitive introspective awareness.

Being fully present means being aware of it, but not engaging in its content.

Repeating simple tasks with a clear intention can reprogram unconscious mental processes. This can completely transform who you are as a person.

intentions lead to mental actions, and repeated mental actions become mental habits.

Another factor that affects your progress is the problem of compartmentalization. We have a common tendency to separate meditation practice from the rest of our life. If the skills and insights we learn on the cushion don’t infuse our daily life, progress will be quite slow. It’s like filling a leaky bucket. This may be one reason why some people c

Take satisfaction in the fact that you have actually sat down to meditate. That is an accomplishment in itself!

The best way to avoid or resolve impatience is to enjoy your practice. While this isn’t always easy, a good start is to consistently focus on the positive rather than the negative aspects of your meditation. Notice when the body is relaxed and comfortable, or when the mind is focused and alert. Seek out and acknowledge these rewarding aspects, no m

Any of these is a potential distraction, but an actual distraction is one that competes with the meditation object for your attention.