Mindfulness

“Mindfulness is the energy of being aware and awake to the present. It is the continuous practice of touching life deeply in every moment. Practicing mindfulness does not require that we go anywhere different. We can practice mindfulness in our room or on our way from one place to another. We can do very much the same things we always do–walking, sitting, working, eating, talking-except we learn to do them with an awareness of what we are doing. Imagine you’re standing with a group of people, contemplating a beautiful sunrise. But while others drink in the view, you struggle.

You’re preoccupied with your projects and worries. You think about the future and the past. You’re not really present to appreciate the experience. So rather than enjoy the sunrise, you let the richness of the moment slip by.

Suppose, instead, you took a different approach. What if, as your mind wanders, you direct your focus to your in-breath and out-breath? As you practice breathing deeply, you bring yourself back to the present. Your body and mind come together as one, allowing you to be fully available to witness, contemplate, and enjoy the scenery. By “going home” to your breath, you regain the wonder of the sunrise.

We often become so busy that we forget what we’re doing or who we are. I know many people who say they even forget to breathe.

We forget to look at the people we love and to appreciate them until they’re gone. Even when we have some leisure time, we don’t know how to get in touch with what is going on inside us. So we turn on the television or pick up the telephone as if we might be able to escape from ourselves.

Awareness of the breath is the essence of mindfulness. According to the Buddha, mindfulness is the source of happiness and joy. The seed of mindfulness is in each of us, but we usually forget to water it. If we know how to take refuge in our breath, in our step, then we can touch our seeds of peace and joy and allow them to manilest for our enjoyment. Instead of taking refuge in an abstract notion of God, Buddha, or Allah, we realize that God can be touched in our breath and our step.

This sounds easy, and everyone can do it, but it takes some training. The practice of stopping is crucial. How do we stop? We stop by means of our in-breath, our out-breath, and our step. That is why our basic practice is mindful breathing and mindful walking. If you master these practices, then you can practice mindful eating, mindful drinking, mindful cooking, mindful driving, and so on, and you are always with peace and happiness.

Our practice is the practice of mindfulness-mindfulness of breathing, walking, eating, dishwashing, and cooking–always dwelling in the here and the now and not allowing ourselves to be pulled away by worries, projects for the future, or regrets about the past.

The practice of mindfulness (smrti in Sanskrit) leads to concentration (samadhi), which in turn leads to insight (prajña). The insight we gain from mindfulness meditation can liberate us from fear, anxiety, and anger, allowing us to be truly happy. We can practice mindfulness using something as simple as a flower. When I hold a flower in my hand, I’m aware of it. My in-breath and out-breath help me maintain my awareness. Rather than becoming overwhelmed by other thoughts, I sustain my enjoyment of the flower’s beauty. Concentration itself becomes a source of joy.

If we want to fully enjoy life’s gifts, we must practice mindfulness at every turn, whether were brushing our teeth, cooking our breakfast, or driving to work. Every step and every breath can be an opportunity for joy and happiness. Life is full of suffering. If we don’t have enough happiness on reserve, we have no means to take care of our despair. Enjoy your practice with a relaxed and gentle attitude, with an open mind and a receptive heart. Practice for understanding and not for the form or appearance. With mindfulness, we can preserve an inner joy, so that we can better handle the challenges in our lives. We can create a foundation of freedom, peace, and love within ourselves.”

– Thich Nhat Hahn “Happiness”

Insurance Coverage

I remain in Independence Blue Cross, Aetna, and Medicare.

All sessions are telehealth provided by Doxy.me.

https://doxy.me/v2/check-in/drmilbourne/

Everyone’s needs are different.

Initially, our sessions typcially start weekly to build rapport, establish trust and make steady progress after which we can discuss reducing the frequency of sessions. Visit our Telehealth page for details.

All sessions are telehealth provided by Doxy.Me.

https://doxy.me/v2/check-in/drmilbourne/

Dr. Milbourne’s fee is $185-$220 for one 45-minute individual, family or couples therapy session and intake. Sliding scale is available to financially challenged clients.

Visit our Fees & Insurance page for more details.

My office accepts payment by PayPal, Zelle and check. For checks my address is:
Dr. Gregory Milbourne, 105 Rutgers Ave, PO Box 320, Swarthmore PA 19081

Sometimes, yes. While the focus is on you as a couple, there may be times when meeting individually is helpful—especially early on or when one of you needs a safe space to share or receive extra support. These sessions are always intended to strengthen your work together, not to create sides or secrets.

The minimum age is 14.