###### 🔑 Mindfulness is an unblending exercise (and vice versa) [[🕯️ Mindfulness]] is foundational to [[🕯️ Part-Tending]]. It teaches us experientially that we are bigger than the stories we tell ourselves – that [[🔑 Thoughts come from Parts|🔑 we are not our thoughts]], and it allows us to shift from being lost in or identified with thoughts and [[⭐️ Emotions|emotions]] to being a [[☀️ Calm]] and [[☀️ Compassion|☀️ Compassionate]] presence *with* them. From "I am anxious," to "A [[💡 Parts|Part]] of me feels anxious," or “There’s [[💡 Anxiety|Anxiety]] here.” Each time we find ourselves distracted or lost in thought, that’s a [[💡 Parts|Part]]. These noticings are a form of [[🕯️ Unblending|unblending]]. It's a way of settling as [[💡 Presence|Presence]] and becoming aware of our [[💡 Parts|Parts]] before actively engaging them. Just this can be helpful because by remaining still, we can explore our inner-world without "disturbing the water." It allows for a deeper exploration of the intentions, needs, and concerns of each part, facilitating a [[☀️ Compassion|☀️ compassionate]] and healing relationship with our inner-ecosystems. It helps us develop a greater understanding of our [[💡 Parts|Parts]]' internal dynamics and move to [[🔑 Decrease the reactivity of and re-harmonize the inner system, so that we can respond rather than react]]. [^1]: