About Mindfulness
mindful_def


Mindfulness is the skill of being aware of what we are experiencing in the present moment.

Let's revisit Calvin in his tree

Calvin's tree

Calvin is not actually appreciating the moment in his tree.  He is chatting with his imaginary friend about avoiding school.

So, when he grows up - life is like this.

mindlessness

Now, this is normal.  And mostly, like Calvin,  thinking about other things while you're doing something seems like life.  Doesn't have to be this way, mindless.  Indeed,  we all find ways to experience mindfulness:  gardening, fly fishing, bicycling, skiing, mountain climbing, and for brief stretches of time, we bring our whole attention to the present experience.   The skill of Mindfulness can enlarge the moments that we are aware of what is happening around and inside us.  This moment.  For example:  Notice these squiggles on your screen and how they create words ... and then thoughts ..... in your mind.  Yep, that's where the thoughts are, - in your mind.   For contrast, here are some squiggles शिक्षकको कोटामा कर्मचारी that probably don't cause thoughts in your mind.  (Except, thoughts like: ... what the ....?)
Traditionally Mindfulness has been taught by Hindu and Buddhist monastic traditions:  Vippassana, Zen,
As it's come to the West, it has been adapted.

The latest 
Mindfulness is the skill of being aware of what we experience in the present moment -
- for example: noticing the color of the squiggles you are looking at;  
- And how these squiggles cause you to think thoughts,
- and these squiggles  शिक्षकको कोटामा कर्मचारी probably do not. 
You can continue, at this moment, practicing mindfulness by noticing sensations in your left foot; then your right hand.  That's it, except, that the squiggles on the screen caused thoughts that directed your attention.  You didn't.  When no one, or no external stimuli is directing your attention, you can and sometimes, do.  

Most of us, most of the time, are not mindful. 
We are thinking about what we are going to do next or what we did. 
Like this fellow.


For most of us, at first, this is disconcerting or upsetting.  But, if this fellow was only playing golf, or working or making love, with his whole attention, how good would that be?  Of course, most of us do practice mindfulness in some parts of our lives like gardening, or fly fishing or skiing ... being aware of the sensations in the moment is the joy.  But our lives are mostly not composed of those experiences.  It's the other experiences, like:
Cartoon ....
.... where mindfulness is very helpful.

But mindfulness, is helpful not only in dealing with annoyances, anxiety, fear, anger ... you know, difficult, unpleasant experiences, -  mindfulness is also helpful in fostering creativity,  inspiration compassion.  It makes all the moments better, fuller, more vivid, more relaxed, more aware.


Mindfulness as a microscope for observing experience. 




Resources
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