preview

Is Mindfulness A Meditation? Essay

Better Essays

Is Mindfulness a Meditation?
By Rene Doumal | Submitted On January 28, 2014

Recommend Article Article Comments Print Article Share this article on Facebook Share this article on Twitter Share this article on Google+ Share this article on Linkedin Share this article on StumbleUpon Share this article on Delicious Share this article on Digg Share this article on Reddit Share this article on Pinterest
Is mindfulness a meditation?

Mindfulness has become a popular word nowadays. We hear it within multiple context. And if you have ventured to know more about it you may have realized it seems to have something to do with meditation.

But what is mindfulness? Is it really a kind of meditation?

The short answer is yes and no.

But in order to get to the heart of the issue, we need to get a better understanding of what really mindfulness is all about.

So what is mindfulness?

It has been defined as "paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment non-judgmentally." This is one of the most popular definitions of mindfulness used by Jon Kabat-Zinn. Of course, there are variations of this definition that you may come across, but this one captures the essence of mindfulness.

Mindfulness is really a way of paying attention. But it is not paying attention to anything because someone asked you to. Like your teacher in the classroom, when you were lost or distracted. It is paying attention on purpose, even without being asked.

It is really nothing other than awareness.

Get Access