What is mindfulness? Mindfulness is defined as:
“the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something.” or a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.”
History of mindfulness
The roots of mindfulness trace back to Hinduism and Buddhism. It also relates to Yoga. Some people use it as non-religious meditation. It also has roots in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Most western practitioners and teachers learned from the Buddhist and Hindu traditions. Yoga practices incorporate mindfulness and mindfulness meditation practices. Researchers found that people who practice yoga regularly had higher levels of mindfulness than people who only slightly practice it or do not practice it all. The origins of yoga coincide with the origins of Hinduism. The recent rise of yoga in the West coincides with the rise of mindfulness.
Jon Kabat-Zinn founded the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and the Oasis Institute for Mindfulness- based Professional Education and training. Mindfulness-based stress reduction served as inspiration for Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy which treats major depressive disorder.
Ways to practice mindfulness include practicing yoga, doing meditation, and everyday activities such as washing dishes. It is all about being in the moment and stopping to notice the world around you.
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