Mindfulness is a real buzzword these days. Every year, hundreds of clinical studies explore how it can benefit our health and wellbeing. People use it for managing stress, dealing with pain, treating addiction, and even improving leadership skills.
But what exactly is mindfulness? According to Jon Kabat-Zinn, it’s “paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.” That’s true, but to me, mindfulness is all about observation. When we’re not being mindful, we’re often so absorbed in our experiences that we forget to step back and observe what’s happening.
Take anger, for example. Imagine having angry thoughts, a tense body, and stress hormones pumping through your system. You might raise your voice and say things you don’t entirely mean. There’s a lot going on, but no part of you is asking, “Is this really what I want to be doing right now? Is this helping me in the long term?”
When we practice mindfulness, things change. We start observing our experiences. We notice angry thoughts and physical tension. We become aware of unpleasant feelings and the signs of stress. We might recognize that our thoughts aren’t entirely true and are exaggerating our stress. We ask ourselves, “Is this what I want to be doing? Does this help my wellbeing?”
We can release some of that anger, take a deep breath, and regain our balance. We can sift through our anger to understand what’s really bothering us and whether there’s something we want to change. By being more mindful, we’re better equipped to address these issues in a considerate and effective way, rather than just venting our frustrations.
Everyone has the ability to be mindful, but we often fall back into unmindful habits. Developing mindfulness takes practice. Initially, it can be tough and might even make our inner turmoil seem worse. As we become more aware of our angry thoughts and physical tension, we might get upset because it’s not how we want to feel. But over time, we learn to observe and accept these feelings without judgment.
Mindfulness is deeply transformative. It’s a gateway to a more conscious and intentional way of living. While mindfulness itself isn’t about curiosity, kindness, or wisdom, it creates the space for these qualities to emerge. It’s much more than just a relaxation technique or a way to be a better leader; it’s the foundation for a spiritually enriching life, driven by the intent to be the best version of ourselves.
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Switching topics, let’s talk about karma. You asked if we can change our karma through meditation, awareness, and right thinking. In Buddhism, karma means “action that shapes our character.” The decisions we make and the emotions driving those decisions alter who we are. Acting out of love or fear, anger or compassion, mindlessly or mindfully, all shapes our habits and, ultimately, our character.
You seem to view karma as some mystical force. But karma is more about the choices we make and their consequences. For example, if you do something wrong, people might get angry or lose trust in you, affecting your wellbeing. That’s the result (vipaka) of your karma. If you recognize your mistake, apologize, and make amends, people will likely be more forgiving, improving your quality of life. It’s better to think of karma in these practical terms rather than as a mystical force.