Is Meditation Different from Mindfulness

Meditation and Mindfulness are terms that we hear very often these days. They are used interchangeably as well as together. While beginners approach us for MindSupport Meditation classes in Trivandrum, the most common question we get is, “Are meditation and mindfulness different things?” Here are some points that would bring out the connection and dissimilarities between the two:

  1. Meditation, among many other things, aims at improving concentration and probing deeper into our inner self while Mindfulness is simply being in the present and staying there without judging your thoughts or deeds.
  2. Mindfulness is about focusing on whatever you do, whenever you do it. This is a simple principle of life. Something we are supposed to be doing but fail to because our minds are always preoccupied with a hundred thoughts. Meditation is about using this focus to tame and train the mind.
  3. Mindfulness is a tool to meditation. While there are multiple ways and tools to meditate, mindfulness is just one among them. This means, mindfulness may or may not be practiced in relation to meditation, but it would definitely make meditation way more effective.
  4. Mindfulness can be practiced on the go. You can be in the present and thoroughly enjoy the food you eat, the exercise or the work you do. You can be aware of your surroundings and your body movements as you walk. But meditation requires more focus, space and peace.
  5. You can still meditate without practicing mindfulness, but through other techniques. Which means you can experiment if mindfulness is for you or if any other form of meditation suits you better.

This implies that mindfulness isn’t a formal meditation technique. You cannot practice mindfulness alone and claim to have meditated because meditation is a stronger term and have a broader concept. Meditation has more to do with the practice of looking inward, striving to know your core and working on the betterment of your inner self.

If you are a beginner, it is always good to get personal guidance on meditation as a beginner. Find Mindsupport Meditation classes in Trivandrum that would give you the right guidance.