Mindfulness and positive thinking are not exactly the same thing, although there are certainly overlaps between them. I also find that these two practices have often been confused for each other.
While mindfulness is a practice of awareness and an intentional cultivation of acceptance and non-reactivity towards an experience, positive thinking emphasises reframing our thoughts and an activeshift towards more optimistic views.
The way I see it, mindfulness is more present-focused - where we invite ourselves to work with each moment of our present experience as it unfolds, positive thinking is more forward-looking - where we encourage hope and positive solutions.
A key challenge of mindfulness is that it is a deeper, more long-term approach, and would require much more patience to practice. With positive thinking, we might risk avoiding or suppressing negative emotions, and encouraging toxic positivity.
Knowing what we know about mindfulness and positive thinking, I’m curious as to which approach you think is more effective or beneficial for your growth and wellbeing. It might be either, or both.
I welcome your thoughts and comments in the discussion thread. And we are not expecting right answers here…
Your comparisons are both insightful and thought provoking. My eyes were closed to ponder over them. Positive mindset gives me the primary confidence to drive me towards my achievements. Mindfulness intentionally free up my thoughts to slow me down to let go. I would lean towards positivism in the day; to renew myself by emptying my mind to forgive and forget for tomorrow.
Well said, Helen, thank you for sharing your perspectives and inclinations towards mindfulness and positive thinking. :) When do you practice mindfulness?
For quite some time. Usually at home or early morning before sunrise at East Coast Park. I joined Big Sit at Gardens By The Bay and we spoke before. I highly suggest that you work with them again. I like the way you draw participants to sync with ambience. 👍
I’m glad you liked the experience of The Big Sit at Gardens By The Bay. Indeed, the whole premise of The Big Sit as a social mediation movement is to have us learn to inhabit the urban environment with more attention and ease. I hope you will join us at The Big Sit at Guoco Tower sometime too! 🙏🏼☺️
Your comparisons are both insightful and thought provoking. My eyes were closed to ponder over them. Positive mindset gives me the primary confidence to drive me towards my achievements. Mindfulness intentionally free up my thoughts to slow me down to let go. I would lean towards positivism in the day; to renew myself by emptying my mind to forgive and forget for tomorrow.
Well said, Helen, thank you for sharing your perspectives and inclinations towards mindfulness and positive thinking. :) When do you practice mindfulness?
Positive feelings can arise when you just see what is without the need for positive framing.
Indeed, and these positive feelings that arise from mindfulness meditation are often more contentment, or joy without attachment.
Positive thinking frames the context to be “brighter/better”. Mindfulness sees it as it is.
Succinctly stated, thank you Kelvin ☺️🙏🏼
For quite some time. Usually at home or early morning before sunrise at East Coast Park. I joined Big Sit at Gardens By The Bay and we spoke before. I highly suggest that you work with them again. I like the way you draw participants to sync with ambience. 👍
I’m glad you liked the experience of The Big Sit at Gardens By The Bay. Indeed, the whole premise of The Big Sit as a social mediation movement is to have us learn to inhabit the urban environment with more attention and ease. I hope you will join us at The Big Sit at Guoco Tower sometime too! 🙏🏼☺️