“Mindfulness is the awareness that arises from paying attention
on purpose, in the present moment
non-judgmentally
in the service of
self-understanding, wisdom, and compassion.”
~ Jon Kabat-Zinn ~
“Attending continuously to a chosen object,
without forgetfulness or distraction.”
~ B. Alan Wallace ~
Mindfulness can be described as being completely awake and present, fully and deliberately alive, moment by moment to what is happening within us and around us. Mindfulness meditation helps us to wake up and stop living in automatic pilot mode. It frees us from the compulsive, re-active patterns of our minds, and allows us to stay calm and make sane choices. To be mindful is to live simply and directly with what is.
Although the philosophy and techniques of mindfulness originate in Buddhism, its essence is about the wisdom of living. It involves a systematic process of training to increase self-awareness and understanding. After decades of academic research and clinical development, mindfulness training is now an important area of scientific study, psychotherapy and health enhancement.
