Different Mindfulness Practices Around the World | Jack Canfield

Hi there, I'm Jack Canfield, and today I want to talk to you about how different cultures all over the world practice mindfulness and why so many societies have evolved mindset traditions to help people live their best lives. If you look at any culture throughout history, you'll find that their traditions include some form of meditation or mindfulness practice. Christians and Muslims pray, Catholics recite rosaries, Buddhists meditate, people in India practice yoga, Native Americans perform sweat lodges, and so on. So why do so many different societies evolve some sort of practice dedicated to helping people clear their minds and access deeper levels of awareness and consciousness? It's because the wisest people in every culture understand the same profound truth that the quality of our thoughts create the quality of our reality. So if you want to experience a more peaceful, more joyful, and more fulfilling reality, you must learn to raise your consciousness and access a higher level of thoughts. But not all mindfulness practices are tied to religion or take the form of prayer or meditation. And so today, I'd like to share some of the other interesting ways people around the world cultivate mindfulness to maximize their happiness and their fulfillment in life. In Norway, people practice a custom known as free luftsliv, which means free air life. Free luftsliev refers to spending time outdoors and soaking up the beauty of nature. Because when you go outside and feel the sun on your face and the breeze in your hair, hear the birds singing and the insects buzzing, and see the beautiful flora and fauna around you, it takes you out of your hectic thoughts and. And brings you into the present moment. You breathe deeper, your heartbeat slows down, and your mood lifts as you simply breathe in the wondrous world we live in. In Japan, people follow a similar practice called shirin yoku, which means forest bathing. Now, this is actually a relatively new custom that was created in the 1980s as a kind of medicine or healing therapy intended to combat the stresses of modern living and the relentless presence of technology in our lives. So if you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed, a great solution is to take a 15 minute walk in nature. And while you're there, focus on your surroundings. What do you hear? What do you see? What do you feel? What do you smell? Breathe in all the beauty of it. Consider the resilience of nature, the amazing adaptability of life itself. And remember that you too are a creature of the natural world. It will shift your perspective and help you develop a more relaxed and positive mindset. In Turkey, people value the experience of Kyiv. Now, this is the art of quiet relaxation. And living in the moment. The great thing about this practice is you don't have to go out into the nature, into the forest, anywhere else. You can just find a few minutes of your quiet time in your day to relax and engage with your surroundings wherever you are and and appreciate being present in that moment. In Turkey, it would be simply sitting on a bench by the Bosphorus, watching the sunset, throwing pieces of bread to seagulls from the back of a ferry, drinking wine and eating simple food with your friends, listening to gypsy musicians on the street and so on. It's a great way to quiet your thoughts and increase your mindfulness. Or you could choose to practice Ge Mutlikkeit, which hails from Germany. The word means geniality or friendliness and is all about celebrating your appreciation of others. Now, I love this one because it's all about getting together with the people you love and honoring their presence in your life. It could be as boisterous as a party or simply making the effort to offer well wishes to everyone who crosses your path. When you devote your time and your energy to focusing on others in this way, it takes you out of your own head and helps you feel a stronger sense of empathy and connection and to all of the wonderful people in your world. Now, the Tibetan practice of meta meditation is somewhat similar to this. It has nothing to do with partying or how you greet people, but it does focus on cultivating a sense of benevolence and goodwill towards others. Metta translates to loving kindness. It involves entering into a meditative state and unconsciously directing positive thoughts to other people. In the Buddhist tradition, the this is one of the four sublime states of mind. Now, finally, I want to share with you the Hawaiian practice of hooponopono. This is what I would call a forgiveness and reconciliation practice. The word hooponopono means to make right. At the surface level, it's about reciting the mantra, I'm sorry, please forgive me. Thank you. I love you. And while you do this, you think about the person or the people you've wronged, unintentionally or otherwise, and all the people who've wronged you or who have upset you. And you let go of all the anger, disappointment, shame, sorrow or guilt you feel. It's a powerful way to heal old wounds, let go of old stories, and cultivate a more empathic connection with others and with yourself. If you're ever about to have a difficult conversation with someone, reciting this mantra to yourself while you focus on the other person before him will help you remain calm, empathetic and understanding so you can achieve a better outcome. So those are just a few of the many mindfulness practices cultures all over the world have developed to help people clear their minds and enjoy happier, more fulfilling lives. Do you notice how they are all directed at things outside ourselves? They're all about appreciating nature, valuing a moment of quiet relaxation and contemplation of one's surroundings, or sending good thoughts to others in order to cultivate more empathy and more connection. That's because when we feel connected to something larger than ourselves, we raise our vibration, are in naturally then happier. Our lives have more meaning and more purpose when we do that and the world feels like a more loving and a more beautiful place because it is. Now remember your thoughts. Create your reality. Now I'd like to hear what you have to say your thoughts after watching this video. Do you practice any mindfulness techniques and if so, which ones and what impact have they had on your life? So if you feel inspired, and I hope you do, please leave a comment below with your answer. I'd love to read what you have to say and other people would also like to see it. So thank you for watching. And remember, nothing in your life will change for the better until you do. Now, if you found this video helpful, make sure you like it, share it with a friend who may need it, and subscribe to my channel. For more videos like this one, and for some additional resources on mindfulness around the world, visit my website@jackcampfield.com so thanks again for watching.