Mindfulness : A description
Mindfulness is a concept that is getting a lot of attention lately. It is a concept that is most helpful lived as opposed to intellectually understood. It truly is about living and being in the present moment, not ruminating on the past or worrying about the future. Mindfulness is about being open to every part of the present...the sights, the sounds, the smells, our surroundings and our inner experience. In America, in 2011, this is no small feat. We have so many distractions and in these tough economic times, many of us have lots of worries. And yet worrying has never proven to create much positive change or inner peace of mind. Below is a passage from Bhante Henepola Gunaratana that provides us with a place to begin our contemplation of mindfulness awareness.
Mindfulness is a concept that is getting a lot of attention lately. It is a concept that is most helpful lived as opposed to intellectually understood. It truly is about living and being in the present moment, not ruminating on the past or worrying about the future. Mindfulness is about being open to every part of the present...the sights, the sounds, the smells, our surroundings and our inner experience. In America, in 2011, this is no small feat. We have so many distractions and in these tough economic times, many of us have lots of worries. And yet worrying has never proven to create much positive change or inner peace of mind. Below is a passage from Bhante Henepola Gunaratana that provides us with a place to begin our contemplation of mindfulness awareness....
Mindfulness is present moment awareness
Mindfulness is non-judgmental observation
Mindfulness is an impartial watchfulness
Mindfulness does not get infatuated with good mental states. It does not try to side step bad mental states.
Mindfulness is non-conceptual awareness.
Mindfulness is nonegotistic alertness.
Mindfulness is awareness of change. It is watching things arising and passing away.
In mindfulness one watches the universe within.
Mindfulness is participatory observation.