What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness leads to happiness and well-being. Many of us think so. But, what is mindfulness, exactly?

In its essence, often distilled into a simple definition: being fully present in the current moment. Or, as ChatGPT explained to me, based on its internet data, mindfulness is “the practice of paying deliberate and non-judgmental attention to the present moment, fostering a heightened awareness of one’s thoughts, feelings, and surroundings.”

To some, mindfulness might even be as simple as “breathe in and breathe out.” While these answers are true, many people still find it hard to grasp the idea of mindfulness. If you are wondering the same, this article will explain what mindfulness is to you from various perspectives of different religious and non-religious traditions, even with a Christian or a Muslim view.

Table of Contents:

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1. The Modern Mindfulness

(1) Jon Kabat-Zinn: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn is one of the first western scholars who places great importance on empirical research of mindfulness, seeking to substantiate the effectiveness of mindfulness through scientific validation. His evidence-based approach has significantly contributed to the widespread acceptance of mindfulness in clinical settings. Later, this acceptance has spread out to the general public as well. He believes that mindfulness is a practice accessible to individuals of all backgrounds, irrespective of their spiritual or religious beliefs. Kabat-Zinn’s teachings have profoundly shaped the understanding and application of mindfulness.

He is renowned for creating the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. His teachings brought a new and modern definition of mindfulness to the western world: simply paying deliberate, non-judgmental attention to the present moment. Kabat-Zinn stresses that mindfulness is not about achieving a specific mental state, but rather about cultivating a particular relationship with one’s experiences. This entails observing thoughts and sensations without attaching labels of good or bad, fostering a non-judgmental awareness. He asserts that mindfulness isn’t confined to formal meditation, but can be woven into daily activities, encouraging a fuller engagement with the present moment. Kabat-Zinn also underscores the mind-body connection, advocating that mindfulness practices can enhance physical well-being and alleviate stress-related conditions.

(2) Popular Mindfulness Apps: Headspace & Calm

Thanks to Kabat-Zinn and many other teachers, authors, and researchers, mindfulness has become a widely known concept around the world. In the recent decade, some apps that teach mindfulness and meditation have become very popular, such as Headspace and Calm. As of 2023, Headspace has over 70 million users around the world. Let’s take a peek at their definition of mindfulness as well.

Headspace defines mindfulness in this way: “the practice of paying attention to the present moment, without distraction or judgment. It’s a way to train the mind to be more focused, effective, and present.”

Calm defines mindfulness as: “the ability to be present, to rest in the here and now, fully engaged with whatever we’re doing in the moment. It’s 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.”

As evident from these modern definitions, including Kabat-Zinn’s, the core emphasis is on the ability to be present. This foundational definition helps mindfulness become a scientific proven benefit in many aspects, including emotional, mental, and physical. However, is that all mindfulness is about? In the later part of this article, I would like to explore the diverse dimensions of mindfulness from various philosophical and religious perspectives. Together, we hope to gain a deeper insight into this powerful tool and its multifaceted applications. 

2. Mindfulness in Philosophies and Religions

(1) Early Buddhism: Mindfulness in Pali: Satipatthana

Pali is the language used when the Buddha was alive around the region he taught Buddha Dharma. In Pali, the original meaning of “Sati” is memory. The Buddha borrowed this word to mean mindfulness in his early teachings. For example, among the Eightfold Path taught by the Buddha, “Right Mindfulness (sammā sati)” is one of the Eightfold Paths.

In scriptures such as the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutra, the beginning paragraph emphasizes the goal and methods of mindfulness as to relieve suffering and to reach nirvana (or happiness.) ^[1]

Sometimes, the word “Satipaṭṭhāna” is also translated to mindfulness. It means the “starting-point of mind.” The practice of the Four Satipaṭṭhāna, begins with the awareness of the physical body, moves on to the detailed observation of the body’s sensory experiences, and then to the abstract and subtle changes in the mind. Eventually, one realizes the reality of no-self and aims at spiritual liberation. ^[2]

Another example is the popular Vipassana Meditation. In the practice of Vipassana Meditation, the meditator clearly observes the nature and character of the phenomena that have arisen, and associates them with the various characteristics of the Buddha Dharma. Eventually, the practice develops into direct contemplation, vipassanā, and wisdom, paññā.

(2) Mahayana Buddhism: The Chan Mindfulness and the Zen Mindfulness

Chinese Chan Buddhism is the predecessor of Japanese Zen Buddhism. In fact, the word Chan is translated from the chinese word “禪”, which is the same character as the Japanese kanji “禪”. For the sake of simplicity, I use the word “zen” to represent both chan and zen in the sections below. 

Mindfulness is no-mind:

In China, the Ming Dynasty zen master Han Shan Deqing (憨山德清)once defined Mindfulness as: “The so-called direct mind, mindfulness, and the true nature: mindfulness is no-mind; if one can contemplate no-mind, it can be said that one can go toward the Buddha’s wisdom. At the beginning of the practice, one must believe in the mind-only method. The Buddha said, ‘The universe is only Mind, and all phenomena are only Consciousness.’ (三界唯心，萬法唯識。) How much of the Buddha’s teachings, only to explain this sentence clearly, so that everyone can believe that what makes the sacred and mortal different, is only from the confusion of the two ways in our mind.”

No-mind Does Not Mean No Thoughts:

In zen meditation practice, the method of Anupassanā, or Contemplation, is a common method. The prefix anu means “to repeat” or “to be close”, and the base passanā means “to observe.”^[3] When you are contemplating, you are simply and repeatedly aware and observing. There will be thoughts in your mind, and you don’t “think about” your thoughts. Rather, you just observe it. This is what the masters mean by “no-mind.”

If one practices no-mind, or mindfulness, enough, he or she may experience enlightenment. One can gain insights of compassion and wisdom through enlightenment, and they lead to ultimate happiness.

Mindfulness Is Happiness:

In the book The Art of Living – Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now, zen master Thich Nhat Hanh says that “the art of happiness is the art of living deeply in the present.” Through mindfulness, concentration and wisdom, we can be free from the shackles of chaos and greed, realizing that we have enough conditions to be happy right now.   

He also expresses that happiness is not a parcel sent in the mail. Happiness doesn’t fall from the sky. Happiness is something that grows out of our mindfulness. Mindfulness helps us to arrive here and now and see that the miracle of life is here, in and around us.

(3) Taoism and Mindfulness

Rooted in Chinese culture, Taoism has a history of more than 2500 years. Similar to mindfulness in Buddhism, Taoism also puts emphasis on the present moment and non-attachment. It teaches awareness of inner harmony, acceptance and letting go, as well as appreciation of nature.

For example, the concept of “Wu Wei” (無為) in Taoism refers to the effortless action or non-doing. It aligns with mindfulness in the sense of being fully present and allowing things to unfold naturally, without force or resistance.

The most important figure and book in Taoism is Lao Tzu and his “Tao Te Ching.” (道德經) Tao Te Ching contains verses that emphasize the importance of living in accordance with the Tao, which involves being present, letting go of attachments, and embracing the natural order of things. These teachings align with mindfulness principles. 

Compared to Buddhism, Taoism emphasizes more on the practice of our bodies and chi/qi. We can see this as the popularity of practicing Qigong and Tai Chi in Taoist practitioners. My Tai Chi teacher used to say that the ultimate Tai Chi is turning everything into Oneness, including the mind, body and movements. This, of course, requires mindfulness in the process. 

(4) Mindfulness and Judaism

In Judaism, there are traditions that are similar to modern mindfulness practices. For example, Jews would pause before drinking a glass of water. The practice of being present is also the foundation of many Jewish ceremonies.

The Hebrew word Kavanah means “intention” or “sincere feeling, direction of the heart.” It is the mindset often described as necessary for Jewish rituals and prayers, including pausing and gratitude. This can be seen as the indigenous Jewish mindfulness rooted in its tradition.

Also at the level of religious practices, the concept of “bitul hayesh” in Judaism, meaning nullification of being or extinction of the self, is very similar to the Buddhist idea of letting go of the ego.

Below it’s an interview about the connection between mindfulness and Judaism, with Dr. Mira Neshama-Weil:

(5) Catholic Mindfulness

One of the contemporary figures who advertises mindfulness together with Catholic practice is Dr. Greg Bottaro, the author of the Mindful Catholic: Finding God One Moment at a Time. According to Greg, it’s important to ask the question: “What would life be like if we really did receive God’s mercy and knew truly how much He loves us?” He answers: We would be without anxiety. We would be totally free to live in the present moment and be peaceful, trustingly at ease, without worrying about the future or ruminating on the past.”

One way to bring one closer to God in Catholicism is through meditative prayer. It fills one’s mind with just one thought: Christ and His work in one’s life. It demands concentration to the present thought, which is fundamentally the same as how mindfulness is practiced in other religions. 

(6) Christian Mindfulness

Although not explicitly outlined in the mainstream Christian doctrine, mindfulness is also being practiced within the Christian context. Below are a few examples outlined:

Centering Prayer: is a Christian contemplative practice that involves sitting in silence and emptying the mind of thoughts, similar to mindfulness meditation.

Lectio Divina: is an ancient Christian practice which involves a slow, contemplative reading of scripture.

Being Present with God: Mindfulness encourages being fully present in the moment, and for Christians, this can mean being present with God.

Letting Go and Trusting God: Mindfulness encourages acceptance and letting go of attachments. In a Christian context, this can be seen as entrusting one’s worries and burdens to God.

For my Christian readers, the Book The Mindful Christian: Cultivating a Life of Intentionality, Openness, and Faith , by Irene Kraegel, serves as a guide for readers who are curious about how to integrate Christian faith with mindfulness practices.

(7) Mindful Muslim

From an etymological and linguistic point of view, the English word “mindfulness” and the Arabic word “muraqabah” have strong similarities. Muraqabah is a word derived from the root meaning “to watch, observe, regard attentively.” As a spiritual term in Islam, it is defined as “the constant knowledge of the servant and conviction in the supervision of the Truth, glory be to Him, over one’s outward and inward states.”^[4]

A Muslim with Muraqabah is in a constant state of mindful self-awareness in his or her connection with Allah, encompassing the heart, mind, and body. He or she understands that Allah perpetually observes, leading to heightened attentiveness and conscientiousness regarding his or her deeds, thoughts, emotions, and inner spiritual state.

3. Summary

What is mindfulness? It is the awareness of the present moment – the embodiment of ”here and now.” To some, mindfulness is the breath at the very moment; to others, it is the presence of God or Allah. When we look at different narratives of mindfulness in different cultural traditions and religions, we can find many similarities in both ideas and practices. No matter what the concentration point is for a mindfulness practitioner, it is more than clear that one can gain many benefits from mindfulness.

In the 21st century, mindfulness has become the core capacity for working and living, due to the over saturation of information and distractions. Do you practice mindfulness? What is mindfulness for you? Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts! And, DON’T FORGET: Breathe in… breathe out…

Notes:

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