Mindfulness has many definitions. I prefer Jon Kabit-Zinn's definition: "Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally".

I will quote wildmine.org for elaboration: "First of all, mindfulness involves paying attention "on purpose". Mindfulness involves a conscious direction of awareness. We sometimes (me included) talk about "mindfulness" and "awareness" as if they were interchangeable terms, but that's not a good habit to get into. I may be aware I'm irritable, but that wouldn't mean I was being mindful of my irritability. In order to be mindful I have to be purposefully aware of myself, not just vaguely and habitually aware. Knowing that you are eating is not the same as eating mindfully. . .left to itself the mind wanders through all kinds of thoughts--including thoughts of expressing anger, craving, depression, revenge, self-pity, etc. As we indulge in these kind of thoughts we reinforce those emotions in our hearts and cause ourselves to suffer. Mostly those thoughts are about the past or future. The past no longer exists. The future is just a fantasy until it happens. The one moment we actually can experience--the present moment--is the one we seem most to avoid".

I became aware (not mindful) of mindfulness last night when I was watching 60 Minutes. I did some research and began "trying" to be mindful. At first I found it very difficult to do. Each present moment I was thinking of the future moment. I became mindful of this. When I tried to pay attention to the present moment, again, I was thinking about the future moment. When the future moment became the present moment I was thinking about the future moment. I realized that if I kept doing this, well, before I know it, I would be dead. Never having lived.

As riding a bicycle is exercise for the body, mindfulness is exercise for the mind. In just 10 hours of being mindful, my anxiety has decreased, my blood pressure has decreased (I have a blood pressure monitor), my depression has decreased, and my anger has decreased.

What are your thoughts about mindfulness?