Is mindfulness for everyone?

Mindfulness is a training of the mind. Unfortunately, we often turn to this practice when stress in our lives has already escalated and it is quite late. Training the mind can be compared to training muscles at the gym - the regularity of exercises brings effects with each subsequent training. Mindfulness is a state of mind that we learn through regular practice.

The practice of mindfulness consists of attention, intention, and attitude. Shapiro et al. (2006, p. 375) postulate that "intention, attention, and attitude are not separate processes or states – they are co-occurring aspects of a single, cyclical process and occur simultaneously." According to this approach, these three components are inseparable elements of mindfulness.

Mindfulness can attract people who are ready to stay with their thoughts and ready to face them. Cognitively summoning any form of intention testifies to the desire and readiness to change oneself. To want to change yourself, you first need to see what is not working, or what is bothering you.

When it comes to the issue of attention as a component of mindfulness, people experiencing anxiety may focus too much attention on sensations and stimuli from the body, such as a racing heart, shallow breathing, rapid thoughts, or excessive alertness to the environment. However, the practice of mindfulness can be beneficial for anxiety states. When we experience anxiety, our attention often focuses on our breath, difficulties in calming it, a racing heart, sweaty palms, or general body discomfort. What can be learned through the practice of mindfulness is the ability to deliberately redirect attention to less stressful elements. Training the mind to consciously shift attention to other, less stressful aspects can be extremely helpful for people struggling with anxiety, but here we can start practicing mindfulness with techniques such as sound-based meditation, and exclude techniques such as body scanning or focusing on the breath. Thanks to appropriately selected exercises, during an anxiety experience, it is easier to focus on something else, which can lead to its weakening and even reduction.

People with ADHD, or generally more prone to distraction and preferring more active forms, should not feel discouraged from practicing mindfulness. In their case, a suitably short or active practice should be chosen. It can be done by trying to focus attention for a few seconds, and then trying to expand this attention span by subsequent seconds and minutes.

Considering other clinical cases, people struggling with psychotic symptoms can also gain positive effects from the practice of mindfulness, mainly by changing their attitude towards their symptoms, and not the desire to reduce them (Radoń, 2015). Also, the practice of mindfulness can be carried out in these groups, but with a special approach including a more non-directive approach, modification of techniques depending on the reception and the presence of a clinician during the training.

A non-judgmental, accepting attitude can allow for a better understanding and management of emotions through their acceptance. The attitude is strongly derived from Buddhist philosophy. In Buddhism, emphasis is placed on non-attachment (because attachment is the source of suffering) and being detached from what appears in the stream of consciousness, as well as in the course of life. In the component of attitude, it is not necessarily about perfection and scrupulous daily practice with a watch in hand. If I am not able to let go, the practice may not succeed. This is an interesting phenomenon – to achieve the true results of mindfulness, you have to let go of your expectations to finally meet them.

In summary, the practice of mindfulness can be for everyone, you just need to have the will in the form of intention, choose the right type of practice for your needs, and try to approach the practice in an accepting and non-judgmental way.

Bibliography Radoń, S. (2015). Psychoza a medytacja. Studia Psychologica UKSW, 15(2), 23-37. Shapiro, S.L., Carlson, L.E., Aston, J.A. Freedman, B. (2006). Mechanisms of Mindfulness. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62(3), 373-386.