How Important is structure?

[JonW]

'But I have somehow learned to continuously sense all approaching thoughts during all awake moments and be a gate keeper to them. Thus I have somehow learned to keep negative thoughts from entering the center stage of my consciousness.'

But this isn't mindfulness which has nothing to do with keeping negative thoughts out.
Mindfulness is a meditation-based practice. To say that it is possible to achieve the benefits of mindfulness with no formal structured meditation sessions at all is highly questionable, in my view. And it's certainly misleading.
All good things,
Jon

[mikemonett]

Thanks for the clarification.

Probably too many other things need to be fixed before I will be able to meditate. I do know that my moods continue to improve month after month and year after year, and that tragedies and heartaches don't overwhelm me like they used to. I'm sorry if I attributed that to mindfulness. I did think it was until you explained.

[JonW]

'Probably too many other things need to be fixed before I will be able to meditate.'

That's an interesting thought, Mike. What's stopping you? I do 20 minutes a day. Everyone has got 20 minutes a day.
Sitting is the practice, the rest of the day is meditation.
Truly it's been life-changing for me.
Cheers,
Jon