What is Mindfulness?
As defined by Jon Kabat-Zinn, “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: On purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.”
3 Aspects of Mindfulness
On Purpose: In the practice of mindfulness, the intention is to be as aware as possible. So rather than just letting awareness arise by chance, we are inviting more and more moments of awareness by choice. We are choosing to fully show up in our lives as many times as we are able to remember to be aware in each moment.
Present Moment: Mindfulness is the practice of working with the only moment that we ever have to live, grow, change, or experience anything – that of the present moment. We often carry with us a mountain of thoughts about the past (memories, regrets, etc.) and a mountain of thoughts about the future (daydreaming, worrying, etc.). Since we are only living in the present moment, mindfulness helps us learn how to skillfully and consciously engage with the present moment.
Nonjudgmentally: We cultivate an attitude of acceptance and kindness (non-aggression) to whatever is happening in our present moment experience. We bring an open heart to whatever is happening in the mindbody process with self-compassion. This attitude requires ongoing practice, since the natural human tendency is to resist what is unpleasant, grasp onto what is pleasant, and ignore what is neutral. Mindfulness practice involves opening to whatever is being experienced with a full willingness to experience each moment without judgment.
Ways to Practice Mindfulness
Formal Mindfulness Practice: Involves specific methods used to focus on the present moment for a set amount of time. Examples of formal practice include sitting meditation, walking meditation, and other mindbody awareness disciplines. Formal practice is best done on a daily basis, perhaps around the same time every day so it can become part of one’s routine. Click here for free guided meditations.
Informal Mindfulness Practice: Consists of moment to moment awareness in daily life. Informal practice helps us provide an environment of awareness and kindness to whatever it is that we are experiencing from moment to moment, internally or externally. Bringing mindfulness into a stressful circumstance as it is happening can allow us to handle any difficult moment with ease, clarity and wisdom. Bringing mindfulness into pleasant moments can help us fully appreciate and soak in those many wonderful moments that may normally pass us by.
The formal practice of mindfulness, of setting aside time for a daily meditation practice, will help to nourish and strengthen the informal practice of being mindful in daily life.