Mindfulness is a simple but ancient approach to living, which Western medicine is now recognizing as a powerful tool for dealing with stress, illness and many other medical and psychological conditions.
Mindfulness is a way of being more deeply present to your body, your thoughts, and your emotions. Rather than dwelling in the past or the future, it is learning to work in the present moment with what is already here, in a less reactive, less judgmental manner.
Mindfulness helps us to “get off autopilot and reclaim how we respond to the unavoidable stressors in our lives. Ultimately, mindfulness helps us to move to a deeper levels of awareness so that we can experience the richness of life as its unfolds, moment by moment. Practicing mindfulness can lead to a very deep level of relaxation, calmness, and inner balance, as well as a greater sense of control and effective coping with stressful situations.
Mindfulness is a foundation of a meditation tradition known as vipassana, or insight meditation. Its principles include patience, non-judging, non-striving, acceptance, and developing compassion for self and others. Mindfulness is found in many contemplative and spiritual traditions, but has been mostly developed in Buddhist meditation. Learning the way of mindfulness, however, does not require any specific religious belief.