First, apologies if I posted this on the wrong forum.

Over the years I've been told I should try mindfulness as a tool to help reduce the negative effects of MDD, BPD, and Anxiety. I've been reluctant to embrace it primarily because I'm a skeptic and did not accept the possibility because there was no scientific data supporting the benefits of Mindfulness. In recent years that has changed. There is now significant scientific data that supports the benefits of Mindfulness, yet I'm still reluctant to embrace it. I've concluded the reason I'm so reluctant is because I feel it is a sneaky way to force onto me some sort of religion, a belief in a higher/supreme being.

How does one embrace Mindfulness separate from any religious connotation? Is it possible? I know my aversion to organized religion is childhood baggage and it is the reason why I've had such a difficult time accepting Mindfulness as a treatment option. It almost feels as if I would be losing my free will and free thought if I embraced Mindfulness.

Any thoughts?