I have been struggling with depression and anxiety for about 25 years. Ugh! I have been on almost all anti-depressants and have been in therapy most of this time. I have been desperate and have looked for help and answers everywhere. Yes, I always resisted meditation. I never even understood mindfulness. All that therapy! All that medication! (I look back now and can hear people suggesting “Breathe” and “Meditate,” etc., but I wasn’t getting it! Because I wasn’t present!!) Then, a few years ago, I started to suffer from extreme pain all over my body. I felt that I had been beaten with a baseball bat or run over by a Semi. My emotional pain was expressed in my body.After a couple of years of tests and medical evaluations, it was diagnosed as Fibromyalgia and chronic pain. I had no way to ease the pain. Nothing worked for my depression and then nothing worked for my physical pain!

About a year ago I picked up a book I had bought several years previous…..Jon Kabat-Zin’s “Full Catastrophe Living.” I finally got it. And, I am hear to loudly tell you, mindfulness is EXACTLY where it’s at.
I am amazed at how simple it is, and how difficult it can be. For me. And, I can say, for me, being mindful is my Answer.
I still resist mindfulness! But, like you said, pick a daily habit and do it with full attention. I am very excited about becoming more mindful. My present moment is full. My present moment is Life! Thank you for your work in this field.

I have this feeling of detachment sometimes as well. I have figured out some interesting things about why it happens with me. And, don’t know it’s soooooo lonely and scary and eerie and weird and yucky. I never understood how it could be a defense issue because what I fear most is feeling lonely, weird, eerie and yucky….so I’d think my defense would do a bit better. However, it happens. There are two things that really help get me through these times. The first is the obvious fact that “this will pass.” I have found I tell someone I feel so weird and things are unreal, but I know it’s temporary. When I tell another that my state is temporary, I somehow really believe it. And, it is really true. I actually have learned that I can handle it because I know it’s going to pass. And, each time I stay present with it, and really experience the sensations (I describe it as being in a horror movie-like state.) and FEEL the scary unknown, then for whatever reason, it passes. The second thing I do is use one of my five senses and focus on it intensely. I stop whatever it is I’m doing, or not doing, and pick a sense. It’s very had to do when I’m in the detachment mode, but it’s doable. I usually pick hearing. I listen to all the sounds. Focus on them and when I start to drift, I try to focus on the sound or I pick another sense. Eat….and I mean really, really, really eat. Roll the food around in your mouth, feel the swallowing, and breath into the tummy.
Now, I must remember my own words next time I’m feeling unreal! 🙂
Best and Peace.