mindfulness-the-game/mindfulness_the_game.md

# Mindfulness, the game

**Written by**: Craig Maloney

**Version**: 0.1

**Mindfulness, the game** is a solo journaling game about being mindful. It uses a series of prompts to help you be more in the moment and allow yourself to focus on being present in this moment.

## Safety tools

This game can stir up uncomfortable thoughts. If at any time you encounter a thought that you don't want to pursue then give yourself permission to just let that thought pass by. If you are unable to let it go then write "Here ends the session." and give yourself time to recover. This game is about exploration of our thoughts, not dredging up painful or discomforting thoughts.

If you are up to it you might want to discuss those thoughts with a therapist or a trusted companion at a later date. This is completely optional and is outside of the scope of this game.

## Equipment

The following equipment is completely optional but may help you to better focus:

### Prompts

* A six-sided die with the words "who", "what", "where", "when", "why", and "how" on each side (available from Koplow, Steve Jackson Games, and others.
* Alternatively, a six sided die with the numbers 1-6 on each side.

### Logging (optional)

* A pad of paper with a writing implement (pen, pencil, crayon, etc.).
* Alternatively, A computer with a text editor or word processor.

Note that the simpler the tools the better the experience this game will offer.

## The Game

The main goal of the game is to have you think about this moment in time and focus on it. The prompts are there to help you focus on one particular aspect of this moment in time.

### Choosing a prompt

Roll the die to determine which of the prompts you will focus on for the next few minutes. If you have a standard six-sided die you may use the following table for the prompt (e.g.: if you roll a 1 then use the prompt "who?". Rolling a 2 equals the prompt "what?", etc.)

| number | prompt |
|--------|--------|
| 1      | who?   |
| 2      | what?  |
| 3      | where? |
| 4      | when?  |
| 5      | why?   |
| 6      | how?   |

Take a few seconds to think about the prompt. Many times we'll already have something in our mind relating to the prompt, but if not the feel free to use the following as a guide:

* **Who?**: This can relate to other people or ourselves. Who is on our mind at the moment? Who do we want to show kindness to? Who are we in this moment?
* **What?**: This can relate to items or ideas that we have. What is in front of us? What does this moment feel like? What has our attention at this moment?
* **Where?***: This can relate to places or mental space. Where are we currently playing this game? Where is our mind wanting to go? Where do we fit in the grand scheme of the cosmos?
* **When?**: This can relate to time. When are we playing this game? When is a good time to stop playing? When is this moment in time?
* **Why?**: This can relate to purpose, motivation, or current feelings. Why are we playing this game? Why have we chosen this moment? Why do we feel the way we feel?
* **How?**: This can relate to our current state. How are we playing this game? How do we currently feel? How would we like to show up?

These are just some ideas to get you started. You can interpret these prompts however you wish.

### Write about it

Once you have given the prompt some thought the next part is to write about it. _Don't overthink this._ There's no wrong answer to these prompts. Whatever is grabbing your attention is what you should write about. Spend the next few moments writing about what comes to mind.

Keep in mind that this game works best with honesty but is not about trying to dredge up things that are uncomfortable. If you run into uncomfortable or painful thoughts then please refer to the **Safety Tools** section above.

Remember: this is a game about exploration of our thoughts.