What is Mindfulness?

A big part of my parent coaching practice centers on helping parents bring mindful awareness to their relationships within the family unit and with their own emotional state. When we pay attention to what is happening in each moment, we can better address the conflicts and discomfort that cause disruptions in family life. 

The term “mindfulness” has entered the mainstream but what actually is mindfulness and specifically what is mindful awareness? I hope this definition from the American mindfulness teacher Shinzen Young is helpful.

Mindfulness is three attentional skills working together:

• Concentration: The ability to focus on what you want, when you want.

• Clarity: Increased awareness of internal sensory events (thoughts, emotions, sensations) and external behaviors.

• Equanimity: Non-reactivity. The ability to let sensory experience (thoughts, emotions, sensations) come and go without push or pull.

Source: Shinzen