A Definition of Mindfulness

My favorite definition of mindfulness is by Jon Kabat-Zinn. He says it is “the awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally to the unfolding of experiences–moment by moment.” Dr. Kabat-Zinn is one of my heros in the world of meditation and mindfulness. I have read the follow books and I strongly recommend both:

Full Catastrophe Living (1991)

Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation for Everyday Life (1994).

His research and quest to bring mindfulness into mainstream society plays a huge part in the current mindfulness movement.

He worked with other scientist in 2003 to analyze the changes in brain activity and the immune system on those who practiced mindfulness (Davidson, Kabat-Zinn, Schumacher, Rosenkranz, Muller, Santorelli, . . . Sheridan, 2003). 

If you are new to mindfulness, I encourage you to grab one of these books and dive into learning.