So you may be wondering, is mindfulness the same as meditation? Though often used interchangeably, these practices aren’t identical.
In this post, we’ll explore what makes mindfulness and meditation unique, how they overlap, and why understanding both can deepen your well-being and sense of presence in everyday life.
So, is Mindfulness the Same as Meditation?
No, mindfulness is not the same thing as meditation.
While meditation is a component of mindfulness, mindfulness extends beyond just meditation.
Firstly, What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment, on purpose, or with intention, with an attitude of curiosity, openness, and non-judgement.
Mindfulness is about noticing what is happening in the present moment, both within you, and around you. It is an active and intentional process.
Formal Versus Informal Mindfulness
To live mindfully, we can practice mindfulness in a formal or informal way. I highly recommend both as one supports the other!
Formal Mindfulness: Meditation
The formal way of practicing mindfulness is by setting aside time to do a meditation.
Though there are many different types of meditations, mindfulness meditations typically involve bringing our awareness to an anchor, such as our breath, and returning our attention to it whenever we get distracted.
Examples of mindfulness meditations:
- Breath meditation: Focusing your attention on the natural flow of your breath.
- Body scan: Bringing awareness to different parts of your body, one at a time, noticing sensations.
- Mindful listening: Maintaining your focus on sounds.
Meditation is a focused effort to cultivate mindfulness, or our ability to stay present. Meditation also helps us reinforce mindfulness traits such as non-judgment, acceptance, and patience, which can then be carried forward into daily life.
Informal Mindfulness: Moment to Moment Practice
Informal mindfulness refers to integrating mindfulness moment to moment. It’s about focusing on being present during daily tasks such as brushing our teeth, walking the dog, or eating a meal.
Examples of informal mindfulness:
- Actively listening to someone
- Noticing the taste, texture, or smell of your toothpaste as you’re brushing your teeth
- Becoming aware of your body sensations as you stand in line at the grocery store
Mindfulness Versus Meditation - A Helpful Analogy
I like to use the gym and escalator analogy to highlight the difference between mindfulness and meditation.
Going to the gym to work on your lower body strength requires dedicating specific time to formally train your muscles. This is much like setting aside time during your day to meditate, and strengthen your mindfulness “muscle”.
On the other hand, choosing the stairs instead of the escalator or lift, is an opportunity to train your lower body informally, or incidentally. You aren’t setting aside extra time for it, but you’re still intentionally engaging those muscles as you go about your day.
Similarly, practicing mindfulness informally means integrating it into everyday activities. This could mean paying full attention to what you’re eating and how you’re eating it, or feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin as you enjoy your coffee outdoors.
How Mindfulness and Meditation Inform Each Other
Both formal and informal practices strengthen mindfulness, but they do so in different ways. And they support each other in the process.
For example, during a breath-focused meditation, we may notice judgments arising. The little voice in our head may say things like:
“I suck at meditating!”
“What’s wrong with me? I can’t stay focused for more than a few seconds.”
“This is pointless.”
These moments are opportunities for us to practice noticing the judgment without getting carried away by it. We can acknowledge the thought, release it, and gently return our attention back to our breath.
Strengthening this type of awareness through meditation can help us to recognize judgements that come up during everyday moments, whether towards ourselves or others.
On the flip side, mindfulness practiced on the go can also enhance our meditation habits.
For instance, tuning into how your body feels while driving, having a conversation, or typing an email, can make you more aware of physical sensations, emotions, or stress.
Later, you might decide to explore these sensations further during a body scan, using it as a way to deepen your understanding of what your body is signaling to you.
By practicing mindfulness in both meditation and daily life, each one reinforces the other, creating a positive loop that strengthens your self-awareness and presence over time.
The Verdict On Whether Mindfulness is the Same as Meditation
So what’s the verdict on mindfulness versus meditation? They’re distinct yet interconnected practices. Understanding their relationship can empower you to approach mindfulness in a way that resonates with your life and needs.
Whether it’s through meditation or weaving mindfulness into the moments of your day, these practices can support your overall well-being – bringing clarity, calm, and a deeper connection to yourself. Yes, even on your busiest days.
If you’re ready to bring mindfulness into your life in a sustainable way, let’s connect!
Schedule a free consult call to explore how my personalized mindfulness coaching service can help you fit mindfulness or meditation into your unique life so that you can show up for what matters with greater presence, clarity and calm.