Mindfulness is a practice well developed in the Buddhist traditions but is also found in the Christian contemplative and Judaic mystical traditions. Jon Kabat-Zinn started the first mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) clinic in Massachusetts General Hospital in 1979, and tens of thousands of patients have benefited from the programme. Although there are many different mindfulness programmes internationally, this course has been the most researched. We fall under the Institute of Mindfulness in South Africa - IMISA.Mindfulness has broad applicability, both in our everyday personal experience as well as in many other well-researched spheres. Mindfulness has been used in medical practices for helping patients with HIV/AIDS, cancer, chronic pain and eating disorders; in psychological settings for anxiety, recurrent depression and addictions; for rehabilitating prisoners; and in education.
We spend much of our lives lost in thought – our thinking is scattered as we are overwhelmed by the scenarios we play out in our heads. We constantly dwell on past events and hurts, or future anxieties and concerns. This leaves us no time to be present in the moment, as it is unfolding right now. To identify with your mind is to be trapped in time, the compulsion to live almost exclusively through memory or anticipation. Mindfulness allows us the appraisal of the situation through a clear mind, one that is not caught up in past regrets or future fears.
Stress is more about our appraisal and perception of the situation, and the internal resources we bring to the situation, than the situation itself. Mindfulness gives us the tools and awareness not merely to react to stress but to choose to appropriately and creatively respond to stress.Jon Kabat-Zinn defined mindfulness as ‘the awareness that arises from paying attention on purpose, in the present moment non-judgmentally’. The practice of mindfulness is the practice of moment-to-moment awareness, paying attention to what is already here. It is a simple, yet surprisingly difficult, practice. It is a way of tuning in to our own inner wisdom, by allowing our inherent capacities for relaxation, attention, awareness and insight to come to the fore. It is fascinating to discover focus, control and emotional ease as inherent qualities waiting to be uncovered.
Quiet mind, open heart
Sometimes people get confused about the term mindfulness assuming that it has to do with thinking or observation of thought. Mindfulness is simply paying attention to what is occurring. Paying attention is not the same as thinking. In many contemplative traditions the words for mindfulness and heartfulness are the same.
The Japanese character for mindfulness consists of 2 interactive figures. One represents the mind, the other, the heart. One can translate this as bringing the heart-mind to this moment.
Perhaps compassion in its fullest sense is the delicate balance between a quiet mind and an open heart.Mindlessness
By virtue of being human, each one of us is on intimate terms with not being present. We spend much of our days on autopilot, in unconscious thought. Mindfulness teaches us to be awake and to live our lives intentionally.
Some people get confused with the concept of stress reduction and mindfulness. They tell us that when they watch TV, play a computer game, read a book or exercise that this relieves stress. This is often the opposite of mindfulness, it is mindlessness. We do not have to actively engage in the process and are simply passive participants, being entertained. Mindfulness is an active process requiring commitment and discipline.
Attitudes of mindfulness
Or how to be on your side, not on your case.
The fundamental attitudes of mindfulness include non-judgement, patience, openness, trust, non-striving, acceptance, letting go, gentleness, generosity, empathy, gratitude, curiosity and enquiry, and loving-kindness.
