What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment with curiosity and a willingness to be with what is. It sounds simple enough, but it can be surprisingly difficult.
Caution is hardwired into our brains as a survival mechanism. Consider our ancient ancestors who lived alongside sabre-tooth tigers. Those alert to the potential danger were likelier to survive than those who were not. Today, there are a lot less sabre-tooth tigers ready to eat us, but we’re still wired to be prepared for an attack, wired for the anxiety of the future.
Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment, not rehashing the past or rehearsing the future. Mindfulness is being open and curious about your present experience, be it pleasant or unpleasant. You don’t need to be calm or zen-like, whatever you are experiencing at the moment is your present experience.
Mindfulness is a skill like any other, it can be taught and practised.
In the Open Wisdom courses (Everyday Mindfulness and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction), we teach mindfulness through formal and informal practices that allow us to step out of auto-pilot and fully engage with the present. Taught in-person in the beautiful Blue Mountains.