Meditation and mindfulness, with Shamash Alidina

<p>Mindfulness and meditation can feel fluffy, or like something which is "good for you", but you don't have time for in your busy schedule. </p> <p>In this episode, I chat with Shamash Alidina about what mindfulness actually is, how you can practise it in a way which suits you, and how starting small with everyday simple activities is a great way to create a new habit of everyday mindful moments.  </p> <p>Shamash Alidina is the author of 10 books including mindfulness for dummies. He’s a mindfulness teacher trainer and ACT coach and loves the combination of mindfulness, kindfulness and playfulness.</p> <p>We talk about</p> <p>10:04 What is mindfulness? 13:04 Four attitudes of mindfulness 14:08 What is meditation and what is the benefit? 21:33 How to fit meditation into a busy life 22:44 Starting with one mindful breath 24:30 Why we find it hard to maintain practice 26:35 Returning to practice with kindness 28:45 Working mindfulness into your daily life 31:20 Mindfulness and perfectionism 32:58 Doing 80% of a task 35:11 Apps to help 38:48 Purpose, meaning and values 41:25 Play using mindfulness Check out Shamash's book Mindfulness for Dummies and his mindfulness courses on his website, <a href='http://www.shamashalidina.com'>www.shamashalidina.com</a></p> <p>Apps mentioned: <a href='https://selfcontrolapp.com/'>Self control app</a>, <a href='https://www.forestapp.cc/'>Forest</a></p> <p><a href='http://www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/thelastingconnection'>Order my book, The Lasting Connection, here</a></p> <p>Find me at <a href='https://thethomasconnection.co.uk/'>www.thethomasconnection.co.uk</a></p> <p>Instagram: <a href='https://www.instagram.com/the_thomas_connection/'>@the_thomas_connection</a></p> <p>Facebook: <a href='https://www.facebook.com/thethomasconnection/'>www.facebook.com/thethomasconnection</a></p> <p>Pause Purpose Play Facebook group: <a href='http://www.facebook.com/groups/pausepurposeplay'>www.facebook.com/groups/pausepurposeplay</a> </p> <p> </p> <p>This ep