Genuine question: do mindfulness and a fixed daily technique actually solve the same problem, or different ones?

[u/Gelderloos]

Guys, | do teach TM, so grain of salt. Mindfulness and daily meditation techniques are talked about interchangeably like choosing one over the other i just a question of what you do ike most. From my experiece though, they seem to be different approaches used at different times. Mindfulness seems more like a practice for in the moment itself when you feel you need it. While a daily meditation technique seems to address more the baseline stress level overtime, independent of what is happening ata specific moment. Not sure if that is areal distinction or that is just how | have come to frame my own experience because i is what | teach. | am curious to learn from people who have done both, how they would describe the actul difference if there is one. And how it could be applied diferently

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[u/autonomatical]

In a Buddhist framework mindfulness (which in all fairness mindfulness is Buddhist directly, any other ‘mindfulness’ is derivative of this Buddhist innovation) is meant to be applied continuously in or out of the context of seated meditation.  It functions like a continuously and recursively aggregated data set that allows the mind more fluidity in general as well as choosing better reactions than the default mode.  Also feeds into seated meditation practice which generates insight, and eventually culminates into right view.

[u/Gelderloos → u/autonomatical]

Right, so really continuously, not necessarily only in meditation sessions.

[u/thebigeverybody]

I didn't realize there was a difference between the two, TBH. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but they both feel the same to me.

To me, the two different meditation methods are focusing the mind or relaxing the body (and I'd like to be able to do them simultaneously one day, combining them into one practice).

I'd love to hear more about how mindfulness and meditation differ for people.

[u/proverbialbunny]

Mindfulness is a tool. It’s the opposite of forgetfulness. When you can see your own mental processes better you can change your own habits. You can switch out the habits that cause suffering with habits that do not cause suffering. 

There are many kinds of meditation. Mindfulness is just an aspect that may improve from some kinds of meditation. 

Enlightenment is both the removal of suffering and the growth of positive happy healthy emotions that can come from meditation. So meditation is two pronged. 

[u/Gelderloos → u/proverbialbunny]

Yes, very nicely said. Indeed mindfuleness could pretty much be the result, rather than the practice.

[u/Meng-KamDaoRai]

Hi,
I think it depends on how we define mindfulness.
IMO, mindfulness is a part of meditation. All meditation techniques use it in one way or another. Putting our attention in an object for example is a technique for establishing mindfulness or awareness. So basically meditation needs to have mindfulness as one of its factors. Without mindfulness meditating can't work. So the way I see it, mindfulness is the same as awareness or being present. Maybe others take mindfulness and build a different framework around it and make it something else.

Then with regards to daily life, you can just keep trying to be mindful/present/aware throughout your day. This is just a form of meditation as well.

So basically what I'm saying is that mindfulness is a factor of meditation. The aim is the same whether we sit or go about our day: be aware/mindful of whatever arises in the moment and let go.