Jon Kabat-Zinn, one of the foremost mindfulness experts, shares, “Mindfulness means moment-to-moment, non-judgmental awareness. It is cultivated by refining our capacity to pay attention, intentionally, in the present moment, and then sustaining that attention over time as best we can. In the process, we become more in touch with our life as it is unfolding.”
Mindfulness is being present in each moment. It’s being aware of when we want to start thinking about dinner when we’re with our kids. It’s slowing down our thoughts. Mindfulness is taking a breath when we’re overwhelmed and changing direction.
“Mindfulness is doing less with more focus”
Mindfulness asks you to slow down and to partake in life with intention and without multitasking. Mindfulness posits that it is more helpful and less stressful to focus on one thing at a time and to be fully present for it.
For example, if you’re making coffee, don’t do so mindlessly. Instead, be aware of each step. Smell the aroma of the coffee beans, feel the weight and texture of the measuring scoop in your hand, the sound of the water filling the reservoir. When your mind begins to wander, which will happen, notice the thought and then return to the task at hand.
While this may sound simple, it’s quite hard. Your brain will bounce around at first, and with the practice of redirecting your mind, this bouncing will begin to decrease, with focus beginning to increase.
Simply; Mindfulness is doing less with more focus.