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What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness has been defined by medical researcher and author Jon Kabat-Zinn as "paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally."  Ideally the attention is also applied with kindness or compassion, while ones thoughts, feelings, body, and even surroundings are simply noticed as they are--however they happen to be in that moment, and however they happen to change (or not) as the next moment unfolds.  Inevitably the attention wanders away from the moment, and is gently brought back to the present, often through attending to the physical sensations of breathing.  

This style of paying attention can be practiced in "formal meditation" while sitting, laying down, or slowly walking.  Formal meditation can be "guided" (while listening to an audio recording guiding your attention as you practice), or it can be fully on your own.  It can also be practiced "informally" while going about the activities of the rest of your day.  There are many great books and other resources describing mindfulness--the traditional types of practice, as well as the formal ways it has been applied specifically to psychology, such as Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).  See the links below for resources to learn more about "what is it?" and "how do I do it?"

Kabat-Zinn and many other medical and psychological researchers have extensively researched and tested the effects of mindfulness (both formal and informal practice) and have substantiated many benefits.  Some of the more relevant ones for people in therapy include: measurable relief from depression and anxiety, decreased emotional reactivity, decreased negative rumination, decreased stress, decreased psychological distress, increased cognitive flexibility, improved relationship satisfaction, increased sense of well-being, increased ability to focus/increased working memory, increased information processing speed.  See the American Psychological Association (APA) link below for a good summary of this research.  As it points out in the APA link, research also suggests mindfulness has benefits for therapists as they do their work, though research results are currently inconsistent in showing whether having a therapist who practices mindfulness for themselves leads to even better results for clients in general.

However, for clients using mindfulness themselves, the benefits are clear.  People who incorporate mindfulness into their therapy and their lives may experience a greater, more accurate awareness and understanding of themselves (mind, emotions, body, behavior, spirit), others, their relationships, and their surroundings and social contexts.  Whether in the therapy office or at home, that improved awareness can help them better process and heal troubling or traumatic memories that may underlie or worsen conditions like PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other conditions.  Sustained, compassionate attention in the present moment can also help directly ease and transform troublesome thought or behavior patterns, and can be a way of coping with painful, scary, or overwhelming emotions or symptoms.  And through improved attention to one's present moments, what is good and enjoyable in one's self and life can be more consistently noticed, appreciated, and cultivated.

While the formal practice and cultivation of mindfulness began many centuries ago within the Buddhist faith, it is now practiced all over the world in a secular manner as well, and doesn't require agreement with or participation in any religion.  One analogy for this could be the act of singing: it is certainly used as part of religious practice in many faiths, but singing itself is not an inherently religious activity.  Neither is mindfulness practice; though relied upon by religions like Buddhism, it is done by people around the world for secular reasons also.

Click on the links below for more information:

Research

Local Organization

Websites

Books