I sat down to write a simple article on mediation. There are so many views on meditations and types, that I felt the need to discuss one of the major words associated with meditation - Mindfulness. I really wanted to give the best explanation possible for something that is misunderstood. That lead me to one source, to another and so forth. I know what my personal definition is, while it's does fit in perfectly with what I have researched it is also so much more. As it turns out, to be able to do justice to all parts we're gonna have a mini-series Yay us!!
Please remember this is my interpretation of what Mindfulness is, along with some sound input I have found on various pages. Each 'heading', imagery, videos link to the source from where it came. I figured that would be easier in giving due credit than just a list at the bottom of the page, since this has now turned into a mini-series.
In recent years there has been a lot of talk about Mindfulness. "It's a fad." "It's does more harm than good." "It gives false hope." "It creates 'false memories." "People become too detached." "What if you become detached from positive thoughts?" I think it is human nature to always find the bad in anything that is good. In the same, thought though, where there is good there is bad. In general practice and as away of getting the negative thoughts under control. As away to help with stress, anxiety, depression and PTSD the exercises that are done are just the surface of what mindfulness truly is.
The art of mindfulness actually comes from Buddhism. A very simplistic view of Buddhism is being one with yourself. Being one with your environment. Understanding that everything in the universe is connected one way or another. It is a path of enlightenment, personal examination. The belief that nothing is permanent, that things always change. From that point of view and the basic definitions of mindfulness you can see how they go hand in hand. Before you go off half cocked....being mindful does not mean you're a Buddhist. In fact, you can be Buddhist and a Christian simultaneously. Buddhism isn't actually viewed as a religion. Why is that? Buddhism does not promote the worship of a personal god. It is more a spiritual path or philosophy to live your life by.
With this much said we come to the modern creation of Mindfulness. It's creator is Jon Kabat-Zinn created the practice in place today known as MBSR (Mindfulness-based stress reduction). Who better to explain his view and philosophy on the practice than the man that created it.