Mindfulness and Social Media

Disconnecting To Connect: A Mindful Social Media Exercise

Social media allows us the opportunity to view opinions as well as post our opinions on any number of topics.

Many of the commentary we encounter is not uplifting and feeds negativity. One must be very mindful of comments and groups we belong to in order to maintain a healthy mental state. 

These negative comments, often thinly veiled as sarcastic humor, aren't only found on the news feeds but can be found in even the most innocuous postings. This negativity directly influences how we feel and if you recall from my earlier post, mindfulness is about being aware in the present moment.

Recall an instant where you read a comment that made you feel troubled or emotional. How did it make you feel exactly? Angry, bewildered, sad? What did you do next after you read this comment? Did you respond? Like it? Move on to the next?

As we move through the oceans of social media postings it will be inevitable that we come across negativity. That is something that is not in our control. But what is in our control is how we respond to these emotions when they surface. Or better yet, how to avoid them in the first place.

Think about who you follow on the various social media platforms. Do you really need to be following 200+ people or organizations? Under which handle/handles do you find the most negative comments?

If we think of emotions as food, look at what you are feeding your inner-self. Are you feeding yourself uplifting, wholesome, positivity or are you feeding yourself the junk food of negativity? Too much negativity and we become glutinous with ill-will towards others and perhaps even depression. And this removes the happiness from our lives. 

We can view negativity like a hot coal from the previous nights campfire, hidden under ash. Smoldering and glowing beneath the surface waiting for dry tinder to ignite. Eventually a twig or leaf falls and catches fire. The fire of negativity spreads and eventually consumes all in it's path.

So how do we avoid this negativity? By being aware of the present moment.

When we talk about being aware in the present moment we are also saying look at the beauty all around you. It is not hard to see if we only allow ourselves to be witness to it.

As an exercise, I'd like for you to leave your phone or other connected device at home and do a walking meditation. Twenty or 30 minutes is all it takes. It's important to leave your device at home and not merely turn it off and keep it with you. 

As you mindfully walk, listen to the sounds around you, deeply inhale the life giving air, look at the symmetry of the buildings around you, look at the light reflecting off of the glass. 

When you return home write down what you saw, felt, and smelled. Reflect on these observations. After doing this you may turn your device back on. What did you miss? Nothing. What did you gain? Life.

I look forward to your comments so please feel to respond appropriately.

Wishing you peace and ease,

Vladimir 

Blue Lotus Meditation And Mindfulness Center is a registered 501(c)(3) religious organization.

How do you view expectations?

Maintaining A Balanced View of Our Expectations

Expectations are within us, deep inside, wanting to control the future. We anticipate some result, good or bad, based on what we have experienced in the past. Having control of all aspects of our lives is certainly an unrealistic expectation. There are so many variables that exist that are unforeseeable. 

In fact, most of our decisions are based on on past experiences. And it makes sense, it is how you have survived all of these years. And based on these experiences we conjure expectations, good, neutral, or bad. 

But think about times where your expectations we wrong. Perhaps it was a food you thought would have a particular taste. Maybe you expected to earn a certain score on a test. Or perhaps you thought a movie would end a certain way.

Did these expectations come out as expected? Were you pleased with the outcome? How do you feel about these outcomes now many days or years later?

Think about your birthday when you were a child. The excitement knowing that you were going to get gifts from friends and loved ones. The gift is handed to us in beautiful wrapping with a nice bow. We might shake the box a little to see if it makes a sound. Either way, we are expecting something good.

You excitedly rip off the delicate paper and then it happens, disappointment. What is in the box did not meet your expectations. You wanted to control the future. The disappointment settles on your face and the giver sees your unhappiness. 

As we grow older, we are better able to mask our disappointment because we know it is rude to not be appreciative of a gift. But the giver can usually tell by tone of voice. They too had expectations that you would enjoy their gift that was very thoughtfully picked out.

When we learn to be mindful of the present moment, we learn there is no disappointment. We have learned that the true gift is to take the middle path and accept the here and now non-judgmentally. This very moment is precious. You are alive and breathing. This is the gift that you have at this very movement. This very moment is the one that get's to be unwrapped with each and every breath. 

Now consider when we make a mistake. Perhaps you set the alarm on your phone for the incorrect time and missed the bus. Maybe you left your wallet at home and went to the grocery store only to realize you forgot it as you search your pockets. 

We accept that each of us, every one of us, will recover from a mistake we’ve made, we will rise, we will fall, we will walk, we will run, we will laugh, we will cry, we are born and we will die. Everything we have experienced, and all that is yet to become, is temporary. 

So, no matter where you are today, right now, accept that what you see, what you experience is temporary and enjoy this moment, it is the gift we all seek, even if it is a time of hardship. It will never come again.

Please feel free to comment below. 

Wishing you peace and ease,

Vladimir

Blue Lotus Meditation And Mindfulness Center is a registered 501(c)(3) religious organization.