Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. Mindfulness really means being aware of present moment experience and engaging fully with it, whatever it is, without trying to change it or wishing it was different. One way we can bring awareness to the present moment is to observe, notice and be vigilant in our five senses: what we can see, hear, taste, touch and smell. It is possible to notice our thoughts: their content, the tone of voice our internal narrator uses and the pictures that illustrate the ‘story’ without having to get into a conversation with them without indulging our internal narrator. It fundamentally changes how we experience our life and emotions through self-awareness with the skill to cope with negative thoughts. In mindfulness, we don’t try to fight or stop that; we just notice it and bring our attention back to our senses. We can also bring the same awareness to our thoughts in the present moment.
In one definition, mindfulness is described as non-elaborative, non-judgmental, present-centred awareness in which each thought, feeling, and sensation that arises is acknowledged and accepted as it is. It suggests that in mindfulness mind is fully attending to what’s happening, to what you’re doing, to the space you’re moving through. Many of us spend large parts of our lives in autopilot mode, not aware of what we are experiencing, missing out on all the sights and sounds and smells and connections and joys we could appreciate. If this happens regularly, the habitual patterns lead us to react automatically in negative or unhelpful ways and create stress and make us anxious. When we’re mindful, we reduce stress, enhance performance, gain insight and awareness through observing our own mind, and improve intention, attention and attitude. Mindfulness gives us a time in our lives when we can suspend judgment and unleash our natural curiosity about the workings of the mind with warmth and kindness. It helps us be present in our lives and gives us some control over our reactions and repetitive thoughts, and responds more skillfully.
