Mindfulness

Once a fringe topic, mindfulness is now very much part of mainstream culture frequently seen on the media and on the internet. TIME magazine even published a special edition on Mindfulness: The science of health and happiness (September, 2016). One definition of mindfulness is the awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally (Jon Kabat-Zinn). However, it can be confusing with mindfulness being used to describe very different practices.

It is perhaps useful to understand how mindfulness might work. From my perspective, mindfulness is a useful tool for training attention and awareness.  In mindfulness of breath practice, we learn to:

• Sustain our attention on a single point.
• Switch attention away from thoughts & distractions back to our focal point (breath).
• Develop the ability to remain equanimous towards pleasant and unpleasant events.
• Notice our experience without being caught up labels and judgements.

The consistent and regular practice then allow us to apply mindfulness in daily life. We can learn to interrupt ruminative thoughts and switch and sustain our attention back to the task at hand or to be fully present and engaging with another person. If you are looking to explore, here are some helpful resources:

• Mindfulness: A practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world; by Mark Williams and Danny Penman
• Wherever you go, there you are; by John Kabat-Zinn
• Altered traits: Science reveals how meditation changes your mind, brain and body; by Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson.