Mindfulness an intentional and curious directing of attention to our experience as it unfolds in the present moment, one moment following the next -- the very happening of our experience as it is happening without commentary, judgment, or storytelling. When we try to bring mindfulness into life, we also relinquish our agenda for wanting things to be a certain way. We grow more accepting of what is in any given moment, whether this moment in pleasurable or uncomfortable. By doing so, we can become adaptive, durable, and flexible -- even courageous in the face of unchangeable circumstances. We learn to regulate ourselves independent of external conditions and the ability to do this brings freedom. Acceptance is not passive resignation. When we can act to change something we act to change it. However, sometimes we cannot act, if we are stuck in traffic, sitting in an airplane on a runway, and in a hundred different life situations.
We often find our minds attending to the past (regrets, reminiscence, guilt) or the future (planning, anticipation, worry). We do this by attending to our internal stream of thoughts and dialogues or the storytelling mind. The present moment may be pleasant, exciting, empty, uncomfortable, distressing, or painful, but it is in its most basic form – an experience. We suffer as the result of labeling that experience or judging it. Our experience of something is determined by the activity of the storytelling mind, and the storytelling mind often complains, views things negatively, and wants things to be other than they are. If we can observe the present moment without judgment or labeling – with gentle curiosity – then we can live in the present moment (even a painful one) without suffering. Thus, there is a difference between pain and suffering. Suffering is an optional state added on top of discomfort, unhappiness, and disappointment, and the practice of cultivating mindfulness can make this option available to us.
Change your life through meditation. Mindfulness, known for centuries as a tonic for the mind and body, is now the subject of research showing it to be an effective treatment for stress, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, chronic pain, and coping with medical illness.
Learn
Breathing Instructions
Mind Scan
Forgiveness
“Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.”
— Buddha
Resource Center
Book Shelf
“This collection of very useful reflections provide us with 108 sparkling insights into mindfulness, the energy of seeing—so vital for all of us engaged in meditative living.”—Larry Rosenberg, Founder Cambridge Insight Meditation Center, Author of Breathe by Breath
“A field manual for living in difficult and uncertain times.” -- Arnie Kozak, Founder Exquisite Mind
A fascinating and beautifully written commentary about contemporary society. A compelling story of how too much emphasis on self and self-esteem can be as damaging as neglect. Learn how Buddhist principles can get us out of the self-esteem trap and help us to live and love in more grounded and healthful ways. Written by the Jungian analyst and Buddhist scholar, Polly Young-Eisendrath.
Written by fellow Wisdom author, Jaimal Yogis, whose voice is as fluid and inviting as the waves he describes with vividness and eloquence. Saltwater Buddha draws you into itself immediately the way the surf pulls at your heels at the shore. As a collector and connoisseur of metaphors, I was inspired by the transcendent life lessons provided by water, waves, and the sea. It's the most enjoyable book I've read in years. What's more you will learn everything you need to know about Buddhism from reading this accessible work. While living on Lake Champlain in Vermont is not exactly being land locked, reading Saltwater Buddha makes my heart miss the sea. It also awakens in me a desire to surf. I thank Saltwater for reawakening the ocean spirit within me.
Places to learn mindfulness meditation
Teachers that have influenced Dr. Kozak
His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Larry Rosenberg
Jon Kabat-Zinn
Gurumayi Swami Chidvilasananda
Jack Kornfield
Joseph Goldstein
Sharon Salzburg