Meditation vs mindfulness: what's the difference?

Many people interested in spirituality want to know what the difference is between meditation and mindfulness. Here is a quick overview.

Meditation usually involves the practice of being still, closing our eyes, and moving our senses inward so that our focus is more internal. There are various methods used to calm the mind, from using a mantra or focusing on the breath to body scans and guided visualisations. The effectiveness of meditation for stress management is widely acknowledged, supported by an array of comprehensive studies. Its knack for stress reduction lies in its ability to dial down external distractions while heightening internal self-awareness. By diverting attention away from the daily grind, the mind transitions from its normal bustling beta-wave state to the serenity of alpha-waves, activating the parasympathetic nervous system and ushering in a state of profound relaxation. Meditators can also dip into the theta state which normally occurs during sleep, inducing a state akin to hibernation in animals and offering similar restorative benefits.

Mindfulness is more outwardly focused - it also aims to quieten the mind but practitioners don’t need to be still. The practice of mindfulness can be done on a walk, eating or doing a task. The goal of mindfulness is to be fully present so that we are aware of our surroundings, as well as our sensations in our body, our feelings and thoughts. Being in the present slows the mind down, releases stress and calms the nervous system. 

Both meditation & mindfulness are about observing your thoughts and feelings without judging them. This is considered important because awareness without judgement weakens and overcomes negative thought patterns, which lessens the ego over time. As Eckhart Tolle says;

“Ego implies unawareness. Awareness and ego cannot coexist.”

One of the great things about meditation is that it naturally leads to mindfulness. The more we de-stress our nervous system with a regular meditation practice, the more we are able to be present in the now, enjoying the moment. A litmus test of our spiritual growth is the degree to which we can appreciate the little things in life, which are really the blessings of life – sunlight shimmering on water, the scent of a beautiful flower, a warm breeze on our skin, the laughter of a child. Both meditation & mindfulness are key to cultivating higher states of consciousness so that peace, love and bliss become our natural default states. These higher states allow us to access our true potential and be of greatest service to the world.