Mindfulness is ubiquitous these days. From healthcare and education to executive leadership, it is held up as a powerful practice that can help unlock the deep reservoirs of resilience and confidence that we all have inside. But what is mindfulness and where did it come from?
“Mindfulness” is a term/technique extracted from Buddhism, which originated in ancient India 2,500 years ago. It comes from the Pali term “sati” (Sanskrit: smrti) meaning “attention, awareness” and also “remembering.” It is a core component of Buddhist thought and practice, especially the approach to meditation.
But mindfulness is not special. It is simply paying attention to this present moment. Anyone can practice that, regardless of spiritual or religious affiliation. Although the term and technique came from Buddhism, the practice of paying attention and being still is not the sole province of Buddhism. It is a capacity shared by all human beings; Buddhism just described and organized it in such a way that it allowed people to learn it and teach it through the centuries.
That said, it is important to understand the context of mindfulness so we can appreciate the bigger picture of which it is a part. Mindfulness is an integral part of what the Buddha outlined as the path to liberation. In a nutshell, the Buddha taught that life is imbued with suffering/dissatisfaction, but there is a way out of suffering. The Buddha taught that suffering is rooted in the illusion of the separate self, which results in greed, attachment, and ignorance. Fortunately, there is a way out of suffering, and that is the Eightfold Path: Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration.
As we can see, mindfulness is but one part of the Eightfold Path. At the same time, mindfulness is an integral component of each of the Eightfold Path. It is a reminder that mindfulness meditation points to waking up to what we really are – that we are not separate from the universe, that we are not separate from one another. The function of mindfulness is to help us attain this truth so that we can live a life of compassion, a life that is congruent with our values.
So, anyone can practice mindfulness meditation. We all have the capacity to pay attention and wake up. But the direction of our practice is very important. A thief can practice mindfulness to be more aware and perceptive so they can be better at stealing. But would that be the correct use of mindfulness? What is your direction in practicing mindfulness? How does mindfulness connect with your values? Considering these broader and deeper questions about why we practice mindfulness is important if we want to integrate this practice into our lives in a meaningful way.
Mindfulness FAQ 