What Is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is commonly defined by Jon Kabat-Zinn as:
“The awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally.”
At its core, mindfulness is about learning to notice what is happening — in the body, mind and emotions — as it is happening, with openness and curiosity.
While the word mindfulness has become widely used in recent years, the practice itself is both simple and profound. It is simple in that it involves paying attention to present-moment experience. It is not always easy, because the mind naturally drifts into habit, distraction and reactivity.
Through practice, mindfulness helps develop awareness and steadiness. Much like strengthening a muscle, consistency allows meaningful change to unfold over time.
Mindfulness does not aim to change our experiences or remove difficulty. Instead, it supports a shift in how we relate to what is happening — creating a pause that allows for choice rather than automatic reaction.
As Nyanaponika Thera observed:
“Mindfulness is the unfailing master key for knowing the mind.”
With ongoing practice, mindfulness can become a practical and supportive way of meeting daily life — supporting clarity, balance and more skilful responses to stress and challenge.
Lissa Pickles 