What is mindfulness?

[zachira]

Being mindful is about being present in the moment, observing our feelings and body sensations without judgment. When we are mindful, we are connected to our inner world, are aware and respectful of the feelings of others, feel calm, and we are able to make good decisions. The opposite of being mindful is when we are shut down, depressed, and/or agitated and nervous, and unable to be present enough to be emotionally available for ourselves or others. Mindfulness can be achieved most of the time by sitting quietly or doing a calm activity while we observe our feelings and body sensations. Mindfulness is something that we learn as small children when we have parents who notice and respect our feelings and physical signals. A daily practice of mindfulness from 30-60 minutes a day can help improve both mental and physical health. Some people struggle when they first try to do mindfulness because trying to do so brings up so much past and present pain. In this case, outside help such as a work with a therapist, is often required until the person feels safe enough to do mindfulness on their own.

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Good post. This is a good (and short) video from Jon Kabat Zinn, PhD.


Date: 5-2015Minutes: 2:08
Me Me Me - Jon Kabat Zinn, PhD

“Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally, in the service of self understanding and wisdom.” says Kabat-Zinn. “It’s about knowing what is on your mind.”

Kabat-Zinn is an American professor emeritus of medicine and the creator of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

He teaches mindfulness, which he says can help people cope with stress, anxiety, pain, and illness. The stress reduction program created by Kabat-Zinn is called mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). Here is some information on a clinical study of mindfulness. It's fascinating.
https://www.umassmed.edu/cfm/mindfulness-based-programs/mbsr-courses/about-mbsr/history-of-mbsr/