wander—or, to express it in reverse, the mind’s inability to remain in the moment—the pursuit of mindfulness implies an effort to remain mentally attuned to the present or to return to the present when our thoughts drift to past occurrences or future possibilities. As researchers have confirmed repeatedly, no one can remain “in the present” perpetually. Thus those who advocate mindful- ness and teach its attainment constantly discuss methods 1) to remain mentally within the moment, 2) to avoid potential distrac- tions and 3) to return to awareness of the present when we are inevitably distracted from it. But why? What’s the point of mindfulness? Is it mostly a form
of mental exercise—a demonstration of cognitive dexterity? No, in truth there are a great many benefits that make the pursuit of mindfulness extremely worthwhile. This is the answer to our second question: what can mindfulness do for me? Virtually all scientific studies on mindfulness reveal the
numerous benefits of experiencing this mental state. Kabat-Zinn's research has demonstrated the ability of mindfulness to relieve stress and to accelerate healing for a variety of chronic medical problems including relief from intractable pain, nervous disor- ders, skin conditions and immune deficiencies. In its web- posting “What Can Mindfulness Do for You,” WebMD lists a number of mental and physical gains possible for those practic- ing mindfulness. These include setting and achieving goals, los- ing weight and enhanced awareness of your mental and physical abilities. In addition to these measurable benefits, a multitude of anecdotal claims have been made for mindfulness. Many indi- viduals who have developed their ability to remain open and accepting to the present have described profound new intellec- tual insights and greater spiritual awarenesses. This brings us to the third question: how can I attain mindful-
ness? The answer most often expressed is, “through meditation.” And, by meditation, most people envision the practitioner seated in a place with limited distractions and focused on a prescribed mental routine; for example: counting one’s breaths, clearing the mind of distracting thoughts and repeating some type of mantra. To be sure, various forms of seated meditation have been extremely helpful for a plethora of those seeking mindfulness. It’s important to note, however, that there are many other ways to “escape into the present” as well. Artists, musicians, runners and sailors often report that their pursuit of these “hob- bies” washes away distractions and compels them to remain focused within the present moment. Another form of physical activity that is legendary in its abil-
ity to achieve mindfulness is the practice of Tai Chi. There is ample scientific evidence to demonstrate the clear connection between Tai Chi participation and an increased ability to focus on the present moment. World Champion Marshal Artist Karl Romain, writing for the Huffington Post, cited a University of South Florida study which found that older adults who practiced Tai Chi for 40 weeks literally increased their brain volumes; the most amazing reality of this finding is that senior adults usually lose brain mass. In the same article, Romain writes that Tai Chi exercise trains the human brain to “retain more information, stay focused on the task at hand, and make quicker decisions.” Enhancing the brain and preparing it to stay focused, how-
ever, are just the beginning of the mindfulness benefits the Tai Chi practitioner can anticipate. In a marvelous article posted on the website “Tai Chi Basics,” there is a description of the manner in which Tai Chi enables those who practice it to adhere closely to Kabat-Zinn's “5 Pillars of Mindfulness”: “non-judging”—ac- cepting whatever is happening in the moment; “patience”; “the beginner’s mind”—which translates as a renewed openness to whatever the moment brings; “trust”; and finally “non-striving”— simply letting go of everything that distracts us from the present. Tai Chi, the gentle practice of a series of movements that slow us down and allow us to escape into the present moment, has the ability to fulfill each of these five pillars.
Returning to the topic of “buzz” though, the Internet is still
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abuzz with discussions of the Boston, Massachusetts, project to see if mindfulness could be taught to middle school children. The National Institute of Health in the Journal of Pediatric Health reported on an experiment in which middle school boys and girls practiced Tai Chi for five weeks in an effort to teach a sense of mindfulness. Among the results the kids reported were feelings of “well-being, calmness, relaxation, improved sleep, less reac- tivity, increased self-care, self-awareness, and a sense of intercon- nection or interdependence with nature.” As a result of this project, numerous school districts throughout the nation have begun to train students to seek mindfulness through Tai Chi. Young or old, Tai Chi seems to have the ability help us all escape into the present and discover what awaits us.
Dr. Mike Simpson holds four teaching certifications from the Tai Chi for Health Institute, including Tai Chi for Memory and Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention. He currently teaches at several Winston-Salem locations including the Shepherd’s Center. For information about TCM or TCA, contact Dr. Simpson via email (
healinmotion@mail.com) or by telephone (336 918-0108). You may also contact him for links to information discussed in the article above. See ad on page 11.
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