What is the Difference Between Meditation and Mindfulness: A Meditation Coach’s POV
Is mindfulness the same thing as meditation?
I used to be confused about the difference between meditation and mindfulness and I know a lot of people feel the same way. But, this all changed once I started practicing meditation. I initially turned to meditation as I was feeling lost, in both my career and life. I hoped it would bring clarity and life direction, but meditation gave me so much more. I discovered tools for inner peace, real happiness and an unexpected path for personal growth.
For me, nothing has brought greater clarity, joy and balance to my life than meditation and mindfulness.
Hey there, I’m Rebecca! A meditation coach who’s led over 1,000 private meditation classes! I teach professionals how to effectively practice meditation and mindfulness, so they can feel Present and focused throughout their day!
I know how confusing all this stuff can be, but today I’m going to walk you through the following:
What is the difference between meditation and mindfulness
What is meditation
What is mindfulness
What is mindfulness meditation
Common challenges when starting
Wonderful benefits you receive from practicing meditation and mindfulness
Easy ways to start practicing mindfulness and meditation
So let’s get into it!
Me trying to understand the difference between mindfulness and meditation.
What is the difference between Meditation and Mindfulness?
Before we dive in, let’s first define each one individually to fully grasp the difference between meditation and mindfulness.
What is Meditation in simple words?
Meditation simply defined is the act of paying attention. When we hear the word meditation, we generally think of formal seated meditation with our eyes closed. In formal seated meditation, we dedicate a certain amount of time to train the mind, typically through a specific set of practices until the desired outcome or goal of the meditation is achieved. There are lots of different meditation practices available, including ones where we practice with our eyes open, but all meditations help improve attention, increase focus and cultivate concentration.
What exactly do you do in meditation?
Meditation can look very different depending on the intention or goal of the meditation. For example, a meditation could have a goal to cultivate confidence and it may work with a specific visualization and affirmations that increase your confidence. You could have a meditation focused on increasing self-love or you could practice a specific form of meditation like Zen meditation or Transcendental Meditation or mindfulness meditation (more on that in a minute). Each meditation will have it’s own set of practices and intention—the options are truly endless.
Do you need to meditate to be mindful?
No, not necessarily, but it will help your “paying attention” skills and ability to focus. If you don’t want to practice meditation, you can practice mindfulness instead.
What is Mindfulness?
To further understand the difference between meditation and mindfulness, let’s define mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of staying fully present in the moment, without judgment. It’s about cultivating an awareness of what’s happening right now and staying present with the task at hand, including being aware of your thoughts, emotions and sensations without getting caught up in them.
Getting happier I am finally starting to understand meditation and mindfulness!
So, what is the difference between Meditation and Mindfulness?
You can think of meditation as setting time aside to practice a specific set of practices, that work towards a specific goal (the type of meditation will explain the processes and goals). Mindfulness is always a practice of bringing your full attention to what you are doing, without judgement.
Can I practice mindfulness without meditating?
Unlike formal seated meditation, you could practice mindfulness at any time of the day and anywhere, whether you’re eating, walking or even working out.
Mindfulness practices increase present moment awareness so your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual self are in better alignment in the now. While meditation is working to get your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual self in alignment to materialize the goal of the meditation.
Does meditation count as mindfulness?
Meditation can be an act of mindfulness when we practice mindfulness meditation, which is focusing on the present moment in your meditation. However, mindfulness isn’t necessarily meditation. While, mindfulness and meditation both cultivate the skill of paying attention, mindfulness’ focus is on whatever you are doing in the present moment and meditation’s focus will vary depending on the meditation.
To further explain, meditation is a very broad term that can be narrowed down more specifically, based on the focus and intention of the meditation. Mindfulness’ goal is always the same; to focus on the present moment without judgement. While meditation’s practices and goals could look very different and vary depending on the type of the meditation.
What is Mindfulness Meditation?
Now that we have a better understanding of meditation and mindfulness, let’s understand mindfulness meditation. In mindfulness meditation, you turn attention inwards and become aware of thoughts, feelings, etc. without judgment and with compassion.
It can also be a practice of greater awareness of external objects, but because we generally sit with eyes closed in mindfulness meditation, it’s more of an inward process and focus.
What is better, mindfulness or meditation?
In my opinion, they are both wonderful tools to increase self-awareness and I think mindfulness meditation is the best form of meditation. It is a BIG opportunity to learn about how you think, feel and operate from the inside perspective.
Combining these two approaches; mindfulness meditation, alongside practicing mindfulness in everyday life can tremendously improve your well-being and they are so simple. As a meditation coach, I’ve seen firsthand how these practices help people get better at navigating life’s challenges.
Next, we’ll explore some amazing advantages of mindfulness and meditation.
Hands in Anjali mudra, which helps connect to the heart center.
Benefits of Meditation and Mindfulness
Wow, you are basically a pro now! You understand meditation, mindfulness and mindfulness meditation. Next, we’re going to get into why so many people practice all three of these! Here are some of the key benefits:
1. Improved Focus and Less Overthinking
An overactive mind can feel exhausting, but practicing mindfulness meditation trains the brain to redirect attention back to the present moment. Overthinkers often find it frustrating to dwell on past mistakes or worry about future uncertainties. By practicing mindfulness, you learn to observe your thoughts without judgment and let them go, allowing you to break free from negative thoughts loops and improve concentration, which is a big win for any busy mind!
2. Better Sleep and Deep Rest
For many, racing thoughts hit hardest before bed, making falling asleep feel impossible. By practicing meditation regularly, we’re making a space to release all the business of the mind, so it doesn’t impact us when it’s time for sleep. Another way to calm the mind before bed and release tension, is to listen to a full body scan meditation. Many clients state this helps with anxiety-driven dreams and improves the overall quality of sleep.
3. Relieve Stress and Anxiety Naturally
Mindfulness encourages a non-judgmental awareness of your thoughts and emotions, which can significantly reduce stress and anxiety levels naturally. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by your thoughts, you learn to acknowledge them, creating space for them to just be or pass by without taking control of your actions. This is particularly helpful during difficult periods when the mind is overactive.
4. Emotional Control
Emotions can feel overwhelming, especially when they’re tied to guilt, a negative self-image, anger or feelings of “not enough”. Mindfulness meditation is an excellent tool to manage emotional responses effectively. By becoming more aware of your emotional state, you gain the ability to pause, reflect and respond thoughtfully and compassionately, rather than reacting impulsively and possibly saying or doing something you’ll regret later. This leads to improved relationships, better decision-making and a more grounded sense of self. Another win for meditation!
5. Increased Self-Awareness
Meditation is the tool for developing self-awareness. It allows you to sit with your thoughts and emotions, uncovering patterns that may not be immediately obvious in your day to day life. Meditation was a huge tool for my personal growth journey and I let go of so much that wasn’t serving me, by just becoming aware of it. This awareness helps you understand your triggers, strengths and areas that need support or growth. Many clients find that with regular practice, they become more in tune with their deeper values and are better able to express and meet their needs, leading to more feelings of confidence, authenticity and aliveness.
Hands in chin mudra, which helps improve focus and concentration.
Challenges of Mindfulness and Meditation
While the benefits of both meditation and mindfulness are amazing, the journey could be challenging. Many people struggle with consistency, staying focused or feeling like they’re doing it wrong. Here are some common challenges from my clients and ways we’ve overcome them:
"I can’t stop overthinking."
This is the classic “problem” in meditation! Overthinking often feels like a roadblock. However, it’s a perfect opportunity to make a conscious effort to break out of the thought loop, and choose to focus on something else. Meditation isn’t about not thinking; it’s about observing your thoughts and thinking processes without identifying with them. If sitting still feels overwhelming, start with shorter meditation sessions or try practicing mindfulness while walking or doing other activities.
"Why do I get distracted so easily."
Staying present is a skill that takes time to develop. When your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your object of meditation, whether it’s the breath or gratitude, without judgment and with compassion. Over time, this practice strengthens concentration and your ability to stay engaged in the task at hand. But remember, it’s a practice.
"How to stop negative self-talk."
Mindfulness helps you create distance from your thoughts and emotions. By noticing negative self-talk as it arises, you can reframe your inner dialogue with kindness and curiosity or simply not get involved at all and just let it go. Remember, thoughts are not facts; they are simply mental constructs in the mind that come and go. Every thought you think is not always true, real or useful.
"Why is meditating so hard."
Mindfulness meditation is actually a simple practice. It’s just that now, you are actively paying attention and you notice that you have a monkey mind. Luckily, your mind's restlessness can be calmed and trained, but this takes time so be patient. Working with a teacher will be beneficial, especially for the meditation beginner. I didn’t advance in my practice until I went to a one month meditation program in Bali. (Throughout the year I run meditation beginner programs, which you can subscribe to my Mindfulness Newsletter to stay updated on group classes online or alternatively, if you want personalized guidance, you can check out my private meditation classes).
An example of what formal seated meditation looks like, but there are many different ways to sit in meditation.
Some Tips to Start: Meditation and Mindfulness
When combined together or practiced on their own, meditation and mindfulness create a powerful presence that impacts every aspect of your life, for the better! Here’s how you can incorporate both practices into a busy day:
Start with a Mindful Moment in the Morning Dedicate the first 5 minutes of your day to set an intention. This creates more awareness around your goals and sets a grounded and intentional tone for the day ahead.
Practice a Gratitude Meditation Set a timer for 10 minutes and start by focusing on your breath. Make it smooth and steady and then focus on what you are grateful for. A short breathing practice will calm and settle the energy and a gratitude practice will increase positive feelings.
Practice Mindful Moments Throughout the Day Bring mindfulness into everyday activities. Whether you’re working, talking or out to dinner with friends, practice staying fully present. Notice the taste of your food, the pep in your step or the sensation of your hands on the keyboard. These small moments of awareness add up over time to bring more presence into your day, making a big difference in reducing stress and enhancing focus.
Use Evening Mindfulness Practices or Body Scan Meditations to Wind Down Before bed, listen to a guided body scan meditation. In this meditation, you focus on each part of your body and consciously release tension with your exhale. Or alternatively, you could end your day with a gratitude practice where you reflect on positive moments from the last 24 hours. These simple practices help shift your focus away from worries and are a total game changer for your night time routine!
In Closing
I hope this article has helped you better understand the difference between meditation and mindfulness. Maybe some of the challenges were relatable or maybe you’ve experienced some of the benefits! All in all, I hope you walked away with great insights and useful tips on how to start practicing in your daily life!
If you still feel lost in your mindfulness and meditation journey and want some guidance, I’d be happy to help! I first started meditating because I wanted to discover my life purpose.
Not only did I discover my purpose as a private meditation teacher, but I also learned how to embrace uncertainty, expand my perspective and approach life with greater compassion and wisdom and I’m happy to say, the same is available to you too.
Check out my private meditation classes if you’d like personalized guidance or set up a free call to ask any questions on your mind!
Wishing you the best and thanks for reading!
Rebecca Michelle | Meditation Coach
Helping women professionals increase self-awareness and stay Present through private meditation classes and mindfulness coaching.
