Mindfulness is an ancient way to cultivate greater calm, clarity, zestful energy, and
sensitivity to life in the present. Its roots are sunk in contemplative practices in all the
major religions. Yet, in itself, mindfulness is not based on beliefs (religious or
otherwise) but on very practical practices. Modern Psychology takes the essence of
mindfulness from its long history and makes it accessible to anyone wanting
its benefits. Over the past 30 years, mindfulness approaches stand squarely
on scientific research. Its perspective and practices improve such stress conditions as
anxiety, depression, addictions, and a host of other stress-based problems.
Training is hands-on and based on learning various practices that can be easily
transported into everyday life. Some practices may take up to 20 or 30 minutes; some
practices may be done in less than 5 minutes.
Mindfulness intructors ground their teaching in their own mindfulness practice as well as
in training programs like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (originated by Dr.
Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachutes Medical School) or Mindfulness-Based
Cognitive Therapy ( based principally on Dr. Kabat-Zinn's work and focused on specific
psychological conditions like depression). The instructor is one who comes across as
mindful without having to promote it in words or slogans.
One mindfulness image is likened to the flow of water cascading into a calm pool of water: Filling the body with full breathing through the nose, into the lifted chest, and down into the diaphragm as breath fills and falls, fills and falls. Following the feel of the breath closely, seeing when mental distractions pull you away, and gently returning to awareness of breathing. This is a fundamental practice in finding our ground outside the yanks and pulls of noisy mind chatter.