What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness was founded by Thích Nhất Hạnh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, and was then introduced by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn into the Western world, originating first in the U.S.A. in 1979. Even though Mindfulness has been around all this time, it is only now that it has gained the recognition it deserves.
Mindfulness is a therapeutic approach in which a person in therapy learns to develop the ability to pay more attention to what is happening in the present moment, within himself/herself and the world around them. This will involve becoming specifically aware of their thoughts just ‘as if’ they were observing them. This can take some practice, but eventually can be achieved. Thoughts have a direct effect on our emotional well-being, and so by becoming more aware of what the mind is thinking, this in turn, helps to better understand the negative emotions they are experiencing. While using this approach, a client will gain more awareness of his/her inner self, which will help identify unresolved issues being experienced. With this new clarity, more insight and enlightenment is gained, and this allows the individual to make more effective choices in their lives.
“The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness.”
Abraham Maslow
