Understanding Cravings: Mindfulness and Distraction

Something isn’t quite right. It’s hard for him to put his finger on. Is this feeling a craving perhaps? He wants something but doesn’t know what

This mind state is unsettling and most of us will seek to find a way to change it. Perhaps this will be through consumption or some other form of distraction. The key word here is distraction. Uncomfortable and unsettling feelings are often something we wish to distract ourselves from.

For the mindfulness practitioner, distraction is not an option, quite the opposite

When we decide to acknowledge everything we feel, and actively immerse ourselves in the feelings, we have a far greater chance of understanding the underlying causes. Feelings of craving can be the mind seeking distraction from something we’re not fully acknowledging. If we are hurt and angry it’s very important to work through these feelings and understand them fully. The anger might well have been caused by the actions (or non-action) of someone in our life and to feel angry might put us in an increasingly vulnerable position. If this is the case, we may seek to bury, the anger. It is this buried emotion that will create the minds need for distraction. The mind creates the craving to cure us. Of course this is no cure and may only, in the long term, add to our problems.

Take a moment to think about who has control of your mind if you’re burying anger and craving distraction as a result

It certainly isn’t you who has control. We could go as far as to say, it’s the person who you feel has wronged you, that’s in control. As a result of being mindful (aware) of our feelings – and the type of internal dialog we’re using to create them – we empower ourselves. Ultimately, it is our own thoughts that are creating the anger, not the actions of others. Through realising how we’re choosing to feel we are empowered to change. We take responsibility and we take charge. Remember:

• As soon as you feel the craving for distractions stop and meditate. Meditating will improve your ability to mindfully acknowledge everything you feel. You will empower yourself to understand and change these feeling in a useful and constructive way.