18. IPO III: Processing

In our Environment, there are no colors, no sounds, no smells, and no taste. It is only information about vibrations of particles and molecules, of which only a small, tiny fraction is absorbed by our sensory organs, converted and transmitted to the brain as electromagnetic waves. These are the input values of our IPO, which are converted, filtered and interpreted during processing. This is the origin of our actuality, our reality and our reactions to it. Like the input, we can also influence the processing. The remedy for this is called mindfulness.

As with concentration, we also focus our attention here. This time, however, not on space, on an object, but on time, and this time a very narrow time period, the present moment, the now. Mindfulness is the directed, non-judgmental attention to the present moment. This moment is the transition from the future to the past. Everything that happens only happens in the here and now. We always act and live in the present moment. In a single, tiny moment you can win everything and lose everything.

When we begin to train our mindfulness, the first thing we become aware of is how careless we actually live. As a result, we miss much of what is happening inside and around us. We overlook many things or misjudge situations. This includes processes in our body, our mind, our actions or our environment. Countless moments of our lifetime are lost to us unused. With mindfulness we increase the extent of our personal freedom, recognize hidden possibilities, we become more creative and can better achieve our goals.

The foundations of mindfulness are:

• Mindfulness of the body
• Mindfulness of the feelings
• Mindfulness of the mind
• Mindfulness of the objects of the mind (the environment, the situations)

The present is the transition from the future to the past. Through mindfulness, we can shift our focus towards the future. If we are mindful, we are closer to the future, recognize situations quickly and can act before they become critical. If we are careless, we are close to the past, we only notice everything when it has already happened and we no longer have any influence on what is happening. We can often only react and no longer act. As we get closer to the future, our options expand, we have a greater overview and can choose more freely from the options available. If we are careless, we have to accept the option that we have stumbled upon more or less accidentally.

In our mindfulness exercises, we create an instance of an inner observer. We are withdrawing from the event. We focus all our attention on everything we experience, do or think at any given moment, without judging, without evaluating or analyzing. We're switching off our interpreter. Just perceive what is and accept it as it is.

Mindfulness is scientifically studied at many universities and research institutes in Europe and the USA. Studies and meta-analyses conclude that mindfulness exercises have been shown to be effective in improving physical and psychological symptoms, for example as a supplement in the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, borderline personality disorders, eating disorders or burnout and stress.