It can be all too easy for people to conflate the ideas of meditation and mindfulness. Understandable since the two terms are often used interchangeably. 

So is there a difference between meditation and mindfulness? The simple answer is yes. 

That’s what we’re going to discuss today so you can know what the difference between meditation and mindfulness is.

What is Meditation? 

Meditation is a practice where people focus their mind on a specific thought, object, or activity like breathing. Although your mind may be tempted to wander, meditation prompts you to refocus your mind back to what you're focused on. You might practice different types of meditation like body-scan motivation or loving-kindness meditation, among others. It’s a type of mindfulness.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is being aware of your actions and thoughts in the real world. A meditator might exercise a guided meditation for mindfulness at home, work, or in a studio, but a mindful person pursues mindfulness in every aspect of their life. 

It can be practiced throughout the day. For instance, while practicing mindful eating at breakfast, you might notice the texture of the food, crunchiness levels, and unique flavors by chewing slowly and becoming aware of the tastes. Or it can be being mindful of your emotions, recognizing when something frustrates you but taking a step back and focusing on the feeling itself rather than letting it control you.

What Are the Differences Between Meditation and Mindfulness? 

1. Meditation is a type of mindfulness 

Did you know that meditation is one of the many types of mindfulness? Mindfulness can include body scans, meditation, breathing exercises, journaling, mindful eating, walking, and more. 

There are many ways to practice mindful living. You can practice meditation mindfully, but the two aren’t the same thing. Nonetheless, they are connected, and perhaps the best way to look at it is to say that practicing meditation is often a form of mindfulness.

With both practices, you become aware of your behavior and thoughts. Meditation is more about controlling thoughts within your mind, while mindfulness is living such values in the real world. 

2. Meditation is a practice, while mindfulness is a way of life

There is a major difference between mindfulness and meditation. Meditation is a practice that helps you to live more mindfully; it helps you observe the sensations in your body, thoughts, and the outside world.

Nonetheless, mindfulness is a way to live your life. Meditation is like practice for the real thing. It is easier to focus on being mindful when you are meditating and it is the only thing you are paying attention to. It is much harder to be mindful in your everyday life. Living mindfully is about being aware of how you behave and act in every situation, including difficult scenarios. 

You can perform mindful group activities, so you can exercise mindfulness in your daily life while also doing guided meditations. 

3. Meditation is for the mind, and mindfulness is for your outer expression 

Another comparison between mindfulness and meditation that can be drawn is the emphasis on the mind versus behavior. Arguably meditation is focused on the mind, but mindfulness is more about a person’s behavior. 

The former helps clean up the clutter in your mind, but living mindfully is about acting with good intentions and trying to become a good person. Living mindfully means your emotions, thoughts, and actions are all under control.

Meditation can help ensure you have a calm and peaceful mind, so you can live more mindfully in the world. These two are connected in many ways and complement one another to build a more healthy lifestyle. 

4. Meditation is about letting go of your thoughts, while mindfulness is about observing them

Another key difference when comparing mindfulness versus meditation is their connection to your thoughts. Mindfulness is about watching your thoughts float in and out of your mind without affecting you. Realize that you control your thoughts rather than the other way round.

While mindfulness is about accepting your thoughts as they come and go. Meditation is about trying to clear your mind of thoughts and let your mind go blank.

5. You can live mindfully even without meditating 

When assessing mindfulness versus meditation, it is possible to be mindful without meditating; however, being mindful of your body and thoughts is often an integral part of meditation. 

You don’t need to meditate to live mindfully. Nevertheless, meditation can be useful for mindful living as it is about observing your thoughts and becoming aware of your actions. 

Are There Similarities between Meditation and Mindfulness?

Both mindfulness and meditation strengthen mental health. Meditation will help you to enhance your mind and mental well-being.

For instance, depression is considered a thought condition by most medical professionals. When your thoughts are negative, your emotions can become negative too. It’s not easy to rewrite negative thoughts to become positive ones. It can take a lot of inner work and therapy to make that happen. But, it is possible. 

Mindfulness also strengthens mental health. It will help you to accept who you are and your thoughts, so you do not get frustrated or upset by your thoughts and the things happening to you. 

Final Thoughts

Meditation and mindfulness can be powerful tools in your journey to recovery. They can help you to identify the causes of any cravings or feelings of discomfort you encounter and help to accept and eventually dispel them. They are essential for getting to know yourself better and taking back control of your life.

Remember that meditation and mindfulness both have their place, but neither is better than the other. They are just different components overlapping in different ways with some delicate differences. If you would like to learn more about how meditation and mindfulness can help you, reach out to our experts at the Walker Center. They can teach you the skills and techniques to become comfortable in your own skin.