Are you looking to discover a path to your “own” inspiration, grace, fluidity, confidence, satisfaction & happiness? Ever thought about using mindfulness to chart the course?

What is Mindfulness? A Google query to the topic yielded no fewer than 168 million results. Although you’’find a lot of hype – without substance, there are many excellent resources to help build your skill set and start you on the pathway.

I will answer the question in 500 words or less – no pontification, no bullshit, just the facts.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) founder, Jon Kabat-Zinn, defines mindfulness as “paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally”.

Mindfulness teacher and neuroscience research consultant, Shinzen Young says “Mindfulness is a skill set of three attention skills working together:

1. Concentration power (high focus)
2. Sensory clarity (vivid and clear)
3. Equanimity(inner balance, acceptance)”

Best-selling NYT author and teacher, Sharon Salzberg, describes “Mindfulness as not just looking at what is happening, but how we are relating to it. We cultivate mindfulness to develop insight, compassion and connection.  The practice allows us to open to life in the deepest places.” 

Simply put, mindfulness is a practice of developing and cultivating attentional skills to deepen and improve our mindful awareness. As we build this capacity, we open ourselves to a myriad of potential benefits.

What are the benefits of a regular mindfulness practice?

1. Mindfulness improves attentional skills
   1. Concentration
   1. Focus
   1. Awareness
   1. Observation skills
   1. Fluidity
   1. Mental flexibility
   1. Reflection
   1. Reduces distractibility
   1. Can be used as strategies to overcome boredom and procrastination

• Mindfulness boosts happiness and balance
  • Creates calmness
  • Reduces stress
  • Promotes simple, but profound satisfaction, in ordinary activities
  • Cultivates self-awareness and self-understanding
  • Allows us to work with and manage negative emotions
  • Nurtures and reinforces positive emotions
  • Helps us manage time, priorities and boundaries
  • Supports wellness

• Mindfulness helps us to develop compassion for ourselves and others
  • Moderates judgment, cynicism, anger, guilt, blame and self-blame
  • Builds self confidence
  • Softens our driven self
  • Promotes patience
  • Improves perspective

• Mindfulness improves our communication and connection skills
  • Listening
  • Empathy
  • Self-expression
  • Establishing trust
  • Authenticity
  • Appreciative inquiry
  • Team work

Are you interested in any of the above benefits?

Mindfulness is a not a quick fix – but it is a deep fix. Just as we can develop our muscles and physical strength through a well-organized exercise routine. We can also develop our attention skills and mindful awareness in a similar manner.Want to give it a try?