5 differences between “mindfulness” and meditation

In the search for techniques to improve our mental health and well-being, we come across two well-known practices: meditation and mindfulness, terms, often used as synonyms, but they have their differences.

Meditation is an ancient practice that seeks to calm and focus the mind through various techniques. He mindfulnesson the other hand, is a form of meditation focused on full attention to the present moment. While the main objective of meditation is to achieve a state of inner peace and mental clarity, the purpose of mindfulness is to develop greater awareness and acceptance of the present.

In this article we will explore in detail what meditation is and what meditation is. mindfulness. Additionally, we will examine the distinctions between both practices and provide examples to better understand them.

What is meditation?

Meditation is an ancient practice that has been developed and improved over centuries in various spiritual and philosophical traditions. In its essence, Meditating involves focusing and calming the mind to cultivate awareness and clarity.

According to an article published in Ayu“meditation, as described in the ancient Vedic texts, is a consciousness exercise that results in the expansion of consciousness beyond the daily experience of duality. In other words, it is a transcendent and unitive practice.

For example, imagine Juan, a stressed professional looking to relieve his mind. Juan decides to practice meditation and, for 20 minutes a day, he sits in a quiet place, closes his eyes and observes his bodily sensations and his thoughts. As he practices regularly, Juan notices that his mind gradually quiets, making room for clarity and tranquility.

What is the mindfulness?

He mindfulness It is a specific form of meditation focused on full attention in the present moment, without judging or evaluating the thoughts or sensations that arise. Therefore, it is about intentionally paying attention to the present experience (Shapiro et al.2006), either through an everyday activity or through the observation of thoughts and emotions.

For example, Maria, a college student with a busy schedule, decides to practice mindfulness while walking to campus. She focuses on every step she takes, feels the texture of the ground beneath her feet and notices the sounds and smells around her. By practicing the mindfulnessMaría learns to be in the present and enjoy every moment, even in the midst of the daily hustle and bustle.

Differences between mindfulness and meditation

1. Focus of attention

One of the main differences between the mindfulness and meditation lies in your focus of attention. In meditation, the goal is to concentrate on an object of focus, such as breathing, a mantra, or a mental image (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, sf2). This focus of attention helps calm the mind and decrease the distraction of thoughts and worries.

On the other hand, according to the NIH News in Health portal, the mindfulness focuses on the present moment, without judging or evaluating the thoughts, emotions or sensations that arise. Attention expands to include everything that is experienced in the current moment, whether it is an everyday activity or the observation of thoughts.

2. Objective

Another difference between meditation and mindfulness is its underlying objective. In the magazine Irish Journal of Psychological Medicineit is pointed out that Meditation seeks to calm the mind and achieve a state of inner peace, often with the goal of finding spiritual enlightenment or connection with the divine. It focuses on developing serenity and mental clarity through consistent practice.

Instead, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health indicates that he mindfulness seeks to maintain full awareness and acceptance of present experiencewithout judging her or clinging to her.

The objective of mindfulness is to cultivate greater attention and acceptance of momentary thoughts, emotions and sensations. This can lead to greater understanding and management of emotions and stress.

3. Application in daily life

Meditation and mindfulness They differ in their application in everyday life. Meditation is practiced at specific and dedicated times, such as in a room designated for it or in a quiet space in the home. It requires time and an environment conducive to concentrating and delving into meditative practice.

On the other hand, he mindfulness It is practiced at any time and place, without needing to be in a quiet environment. Furthermore, it is applied informally, that is, integrating it into everyday activities such as walking, eating, or even while performing a routine task (Birtwell et al., 2019). It is about bringing full attention to each moment, regardless of external circumstances.

4. Mental process

Another key difference between meditation and mindfulness lies in the mental process involved in each practice. In meditation, we seek to train the mind to focus and detach from thoughts and distractions. It is about cultivating the ability to observe thoughts without clinging to them or getting carried away by them (Aguilar & Musso, 2008).

On the other hand, he mindfulness It involves observing the here and now without evaluating it. Furthermore, it consists of developing an attitude of acceptance and curiosity towards the present experience, allowing thoughts and emotions to flow without becoming attached to them or trying to change them.

5. Scope of practice

Meditation and mindfulness They also differ in the scope of their practice. Meditation encompasses a wide range of techniques and approaches, that vary according to specific traditions and practices. There can be different types of meditation, such as transcendental meditation, vipassana meditation, or concentrative meditation. Each approach has its own set of techniques and objectives.

Besides, he mindfulness has been popularized as a specific form of meditation that focuses on mindfulness in the present moment. It is adopted by stress reduction and wellness promotion programs in secular contexts, such as the stress reduction program based on mindfulness (MBSR, for its acronym in English).

Through an article published in the Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, it was highlighted that MBSR is an effective, safe and integrative approach to stress reduction.

Conclusion

Although meditation and mindfulness share certain similarities, such as the search for mental well-being, There are clear differences between both practices. These distinctions include the focus of attention, the underlying goal, application in everyday life, the mental process involved, and the scope of practice.

Meditation focuses on calming the mind and can involve different techniques and approaches, while mindfulness It focuses on mindfulness in the present moment without judgment. Both practices have been shown to be beneficial and choosing between them will depend on individual preferences and personal goals.

By understanding the differences between the two, we can choose the one that best suits our personal needs and goals. Both are powerful tools to find inner peace, serenity and improve our quality of life in an increasingly fast-paced and stressful world.

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