If you're completely lost in thought, you are absent-minded until the very moment you realize that you're thinking. This is one way of knowing that you're mindful. Aimless thinking is the strict opposite of mindfulness. Having said that, it's very possible to think and be mindful at the same time. Let me explain how that works.
As you already may know, it's possible to be mindful while eating, reading or even swimming. One could say that your attention is split between the activity you engage in and your meditation object.
So, if you're bicycling for example, you may give 90% of your attention to bicycling and the remainder to your meditation object. As you can see, even 10% of your attention is enough to be mindful. Keep in mind, that the more attention you give to your meditation object, the deeper the mindfulness.
You are mindful whenever you're aware of your meditation object.
Present-Moment Awareness
A common mindfulness technique is simply to be aware of everything you do. May it be opening a door, washing your hands or watching a movie. This aligns you with the present moment. You can tell if you're mindful or not by checking how present you are, as opposed to lost in thought.
It's not important which mindfulness technique you use, what matters more is that you practice regularly. Always remember to give relaxed attention to your meditation object; trying too hard only builds up physical and mental tension.
Mindfulness Generates Mental Energy
Everyone that is mindful generates mental energy. That grounding energy has a positive effect on you and everyone you meet. Further, the more experience you have, the more refined and soothing the energy is.
I'm writing this post
mindfully. So, how do I know that I'm mindful? I can sense the mental energy that is being generated in the abdomen. That's my main indicator.
Best of luck with your mindfulness practice!
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