Mindfulness - help?

[energizer bunny]

A lot of what is described as meditation or mindfulness appears to be more about avoidance rather than awareness. 

So the way I think of mindfulness is to try and be aware of your mental state... anger, worry etc and make a decision on whether you want it or not. Given that you only have so many moments of life, you have a choice what to do with them, and if you recognise a futile mental state that only brings you down... like anger or worry about a situation you can't change... you can choose to let them go and let go of whatever keeps them going... such as feelings of pride or whatever in an argument... for the greater good.

Well yes, i would assume the point of mindfulness is to make one more aware of their mental state. Whether a person chooses to indulge or distance themselves is up to them.

---

While I realize this was not intended towards me, or anyone in particular and that you might be right - I don't know, I'm only interested in this practice for the purposes of my personal recovery - I wanted to take this opportunity to explain better why I'm doing this. The reason I got interested in it was one of my sources mentioning it being used in therapy for people in my situation and I do see how it is helpful. 

As you said, I have faced what I needed to face. The problem is that oftentimes, my mind will remind me of it again and again, every day, in the least preferable circumstances. What I need mindfulness for is grounding myself in the present moment, precisely so I can face the past better. Instead of getting lost in it, I can remind myself where I'm standing whenever it rears its ugly head again, so I can look it in the eye without fear. That's what this is for, to me. 

Thank you guys again. Cake for everyone 

Well good luck facing whatever it is your going through.  

I was in a depressive state not long ago and the way through it was to stop resisting it. To turn towards it not away from it. Fear is something i need to work with as well but i seem to be resisting it. What i resist, persist.

---

If that works for you, great. My comment is a general observation not a direct comment towards anyone. Like shifting your mind towards something else rather than face what's inside you.

These techniques are for people suffering from obsessive worry, anger, and so forth. Obsessive behavior requires redirecting, as theyve already faced it for like 70 hours, now they need to learn to stop.

I've never had obsessive behavior so i wouldn't know. I'll take your word for it.