![]() ![]() In the Islamic context, mindfulness is the virtue of muraqabah, a word which is derived from the root meaning “to watch, observe, regard attentively.” 4 Already we can see the close etymological and linguistic proximity between “mindfulness” and muraqabah. 3 The burgeoning field of mindfulness, in science and spiritual practice, is an exciting development that deserves critical investigation. Mindfulness practices also promote empathy and compassion and are effectively used in clinical cognitive therapy. According to the American Psychological Association, numerous peer-reviewed studies show that mindfulness practices (such as relaxation or meditation) help to reduce stress, boost memory, enhance focus and concentration, decrease emotional reactivity, and improve personal relationships. Cultivating mindfulness, even in a non-religious or neutral context, has been demonstrated to provide measurable health and wellness benefits. It is a phenomenon that has attracted the attention of psychologists and health professionals, resulting in hundreds of scientific papers, studies, and books on mindfulness every year. Put differently, mindfulness is a form of metacognition(“awareness of one’s awareness”), a self-awareness of what is really going on inside one’s mind and heart. By contrast, cultivating a state of mindfulness gives us the ability to follow or not follow our thoughts as we choose. When we are in a state of unmindfulness, we react to thoughts and emotions in knee-jerk fashion and let them lead us wherever they wish. Mindfulness linguistically is defined as “the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something,” and more specifically, “A mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.” 1 In the context of modern psychology, mindfulness is “a tool we can use to examine conceptual frameworks.” 2 By watching closely how we think and feel, we gain the ability to alter our conceptual frameworks, or thought patterns, for our own benefit. It properly conceptualizes meditation in Islam and presents a practical exercise for daily mindfulness that can help us cultivate muraqabah with Allah and our inner self. ![]() This article examines the virtues of mindfulness and silence in the Islamic tradition. But what exactly can we do to achieve this? How can we become more mindful in all aspects of our lives, spiritual and temporal? That is where the practice of exercising mindfulness, in the Islamic context of muraqabah, can help train our minds to become more disciplined and can thereby enhance our regular worship and daily activities. We all know that we need more presence in prayer, more control over our wandering minds and desires. This continuous agitation hinders us from getting the most out of each moment, subtracting from the quality of our prayers and our ability to remember Allah. Our senses are constantly stimulated from every direction to the point that a simple moment of quiet stillness seems impossible for some of us. Modern life involves a daily bustle of noise, distraction, and information overload. In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful How can we have more control over our thoughts in this time of information overload and anxiety? Exercising mindfulness, or muraqabah, can help discipline our minds in order to handle the current situation and focus on our connection with Allah.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |