Mindful Meditation

Thanks, Bill!

Last night, Certified Meditation Teacher Bill Lynch came to Southington Library to teach teens about the benefits and practice of mindful meditation. Bill explained that the mind is often like a monkey, constantly jumping from branch to branch, thought to thought. When we practice mindfulness, we learn to live in the moment and observe our thoughts and feelings from a distance.

Benefits of Mindfulness:
* Can improve concentration
* Can reduce the symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression

Suggestions for Practice:
* Breathing Exercise: Slowly and deeply inhale through your nose, then exhale slowly and deeply through your mouth.
* Meditation: Make time and find a place that is quiet and comfortable. Close your eyes and focus on your normal breathing. As thoughts come into your mind, let them come and go without attachment or judgment.
* Think of a mantra (a sound, word or phrase repeated by someone who is meditating). Focus on your mantra as you concentrate on your breathing. Bill suggested his mantra: "Let/Go."