Applied mindfulness is about taking the principles of mindfulness—such as non-judgmental awareness and presence—and weaving them into everyday activities.
Pause for a moment and let this question sink in as you reflect on it:
”If you cannot bring mindfulness into your life, then why practice it?”
Everyone’s experience of the practice is different, our minds, life experiences, education, and upbringing will give it a specific flavour and direction.
Regardless, I wonder if you, just like me, ever came to a point when your twenty or sixty-minute mediation and dwelling in the present moment brought awe, wonder and inspiration, sense of calm and contentment.
Have you ever felt it? And if yes, have you ever experienced this beautiful time of solitary reflection shift into an emotion or reaction because someone was not compassionate enough or politics were not going in a direction you thought was ethical?
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Personal Journey and Insights
Many mindfulness practitioners, including coaches, have experienced a disconnect between their meditation practice and their daily lives. At the beginning of my practice, as I explored various forms of meditation through internal martial arts and qigong and under direct guidance from teachers, I found myself enveloped in profound experiences during these sessions.
Despite that, I would often be triggered into anger and impatience in daily interactions, unable to carry the calm and centered state from their practice into their everyday life.
The breakthrough came with the realization that mindfulness is not just about achieving a state of peace during meditation but about maintaining that state throughout the day.
This shift in perspective was catalyzed by learning the principles of non-judgmental awareness and self-compassion. The practice of mindful self-compassion, in particular, taught me the importance of accepting difficult emotions and being kind to oneself.
The Influence of Plum Village Practices
A pivotal moment in my applied mindfulness journey was the exposure to Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings and the practices of Plum Village.
I don’t call myself religious; I love the psychology, science, and findings of neuroscience and quantum physics. I went to Plum Village for the first time after visiting a client who was dying from a brain tumor.
Our coaching engagement was based on my support during his last two years of life and how to find meaning in life knowing he was dying.
In this situation, science and research didn’t help us much, so I decided to spend ten days at Plum Village Summer Retreat in France to find some answers for myself.
The key insight I gained in that setting was the seamless integration of mindfulness into daily life. The monastics’ lives were a continuous practice of mindfulness, whether in a formal retreat or going about their daily routines. Mindfulness could permeate every action, from walking and eating to speaking and listening.
Integrating Mindfulness into Coaching
Applying mindfulness in coaching involves more than just formal meditation sessions; it is about creating conditions for a mindful environment and engaging in mindful communication throughout the coaching process.
Here are a few practical ways to integrate mindfulness into coaching:
1. Setting a Mindful Tone
Encourage clients to start the session with a moment of silence or a brief meditation to ground themselves.
This helps both coach and client enter a mindful state, setting a focused and present tone for the session.
2. Mindful Listening and Speaking
During sessions, practice mindful listening by giving full attention to the client without judgment or interruption.
Encourage clients to express themselves fully and pause to reflect on their words, promoting a deeper understanding and connection.
3. Bringing Awareness to the Present
Use prompts to help clients connect with the present moment.
For example, asking, “What are you noticing right now?” or “How is your body responding to what you just said?” can bring clients into a state of present awareness, helping them tap into their inner experiences.
4. Integrating the Environment
Incorporate elements of your surrounding environment into the session. Noticing external sounds or sensations can be used as metaphors to explore the client’s internal landscape, enhancing their awareness and insights.
5. Encouraging Self-Compassion
Teach clients to embrace self-compassion, particularly when dealing with difficult emotions. Encourage them to acknowledge what their feeling without judgment and to offer themselves kindness and understanding.
Guided Meditation for Applied Mindfulness
To help integrate mindfulness into coaching, here is a guided meditation designed to bring awareness to the present moment and connect with emotions and sensations in the body.
Guided Meditation
Sit comfortably with your eyes closed or open, whichever feels most natural to you. Take a few deep breaths and allow yourself to settle into the present moment. Notice the sensations of your breath as it slowly enters and leaves your body.
Gently bring your attention to your environment. Notice any sounds you hear, the feeling of the chair beneath you, the air touching your skin. Allow these subtle sensations anchor you in the present.
Now, bring your awareness to your body. Notice any areas of tension or discomfort. Gently scan your body from head to toe, observing any sensations without judgment.
Place your hand over your heart or any area where you feel a strong sensation. Allow yourself to connect with this part of your body. If any difficult emotions arise, acknowledge them with kindness.
Difficult emotions are part of life, they give us the capacity to feel life and get stronger through these experiences. You may say gently: “This is a difficult moment.”
Notice how does it feel in your body. Take a moment to allow this experience to be present.
Reflect on a moment in the past 24 hours when you experienced gratitude. Allow this memory to come to mind and notice how it feels in your body. Where do you feel this gratitude? Is it in your heart, your belly, or somewhere else? Savor this feeling, allowing it to fill you with warmth. How does gratitude feel in your body?
Shift your awareness to a moment of self-appreciation. Think of something you did well or a quality you admire in yourself. Allow yourself to feel proud and grateful for who you are. Notice how this self-appreciation feels in your body.
As you continue to breathe deeply, allow all these feelings to coexist within you—gratitude, self-compassion, and any difficult emotions. Notice how they can all be part of your present experience without needing to change anything. What are you learning about yourself right now?
When you are ready, gently open your eyes if they were closed. Take a moment to stretch or move your body, bringing this mindful awareness into your physical movements.
Conclusion
Applied mindfulness in coaching is about bringing the principles of mindfulness into every aspect of the coaching process and daily life.
By setting a mindful tone, practicing mindful listening and speaking, integrating the environment, and encouraging self-compassion, coaches can create a deeply transformative experience for themselves and their clients.
The guided meditation provided can serve as a tool to help both coaches and clients cultivate mindfulness and presence, enhancing their overall well-being and effectiveness.
Feel free to make any adjustments and let me know how it goes, I’d love to hear from you and if you have any questions or stories to share.
If you’re looking for more mindfulness resources, check out this 5-min Grounding Meditation Script. And, if you’re interested in taking your meditation practice to the next level, you might want to explore these top Meditation Coach Certifications
Dalida Turkovic
Dalida Turkovic is a renowned leadership and mindfulness coach known for her expertise in blending Eastern and Western coaching methodologies.
She is the founder of the Beijing Mindfulness Centre, where she offers various programs focused on mindfulness, stress management, and emotional intelligence.
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