There are many facets to mindfulness. These include; living in the present moment, engaging fully in what you are doing rather than getting caught up in your thoughts, allowing your feelings to be as they are, letting them come and go rather than trying to control them. When you observe your private experiences with openness and receptiveness, even the most painful thoughts, feelings, sensations and memories can seem less threatening or unbearable. In this way mindfulness can help you to transform your relationship with painful thoughts and feelings, in a way that reduces their impact and influence over your life. Here are some definitions of Mindfulness.
“Awareness of present experience with acceptance.”
“Paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgementally.”
“Consciously bringing awareness to your here-and-now experience, with openness, interest and receptiveness.”
“The non-judgemental observation of the ongoing stream of internal and external stimuli as they arise.”
“Bringing ones complete attention to the present experience on a moment to moment basis.”
“The defused, accepting and open contact with the present moment.”
“Mindfulness is the aware, balanced acceptance of the present experience. It isn’t more complicated than that. It is opening to or receiving the present moment, pleasant or unpleasant, just as it is, without either clinging to it or rejecting it.”
“Mindfulness is simply being aware of what is happening right now without wishing it were different; enjoying the pleasant without holding on when it changes (which it will); being with the unpleasant without fearing it will always be this way (which it won’t).”