Mindfulness is often mistaken to be simply thought-observing, as in literally observing one’s thoughts. On the contrary, it entails at least a dozen practices for different types of people and purposes. Whichever practice we use, mindfulness is an awareness of our present-moment experience (mentally, emotionally, and physically) with the quality of curiosity, acceptance, and conscious choice as well as a set of techniques to cultivate this awareness. It’s almost like a scientific approach to the moment in which we become the curious, nonjudgmental observer of our present-moment experience, rather than relying on autopilot assumptions and reactions. This helps us live more consciously and fully.
Curiosity entails bringing a beginner’s mind of playful exploration, allowing a fresh perspective. Acceptance means letting things be instead of trying to control them. And choice requires making conscious decisions about what thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations we want to entertain, rather than automatically being driven by the sheer momentum of them. You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf, right? Being mindful is about taking what comes into your head, giving it appropriate attention, and letting it be, so you can focus on the task at hand and improve your situation. It’s about putting some space between stimulus and response, so you can consciously act instead of react to the latest piece of information.
Where to start? There are many practices, including practices for thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations, just to name a few. Whichever you try, it’ll help you run by the commentary in your head, emotional reactions, and physical sensations or urges. Then we are more present with what is actually happening here and now, and we have more conscious choice. We can proceed from that home base, aligned with our deeper wisdom and values. While mindfulness is by no means a cure-all, it can be one great tool for many purposes, accessible any time, anywhere as a great tool to skillfully meet the myriad stresses of modern daily life.