What The Hell Is Mindfulness Anyway?

[Matt Y]

Everyone seems to have their own definition of — and opinion on — mindfulness.

John Dunne (PhD 1999, Harvard University) argues that we don't really know what mindfulness is, and usually assume it to be one thing.

You may be interested in his 2015 talk: Perspective on Mindfulness, which can be viewed at the bottom of the homepage of his website: http://www.johnddunne.net/

There's also a detailed academic paper which further details the ideas expressed in the video, though I must warn that it's not the easiest read. (You'll probably need a dictionary handy for some of the terms introduced).

The video / paper do however, provide an interesting framework for understanding mindfulness, or at least, where your own understanding of mindfulness fits in the broader context.

You can read it here: http://www.johnddunne.net/uploads/9/8/5 ... _2015_.pdf

[JonW]

Thanks Matt. Will check those links out.
I'd be interested to hear some views from forum members on this. Aren't we all pretty much agreed on what mindfulness is? Or are there a variety of widely differing views?
Whenever I'm asked I usually reply that it's a practice that teaches us to be present in our own lives. Simple as that.
Jon

[Peter]

I really like Jon Kabat-Zinn's definition:
“paying attention on purpose in the present moment and without judgment.”

I also like the definition of Stephan Bodian:
“present moment awareness"

Which basically is the same thing, but without the effort part. However, in my experience, sometimes it is effortless, and sometimes it takes a lot of effort.

Peter

[Matt Y]

Aren't we all pretty much agreed on what mindfulness is? Or are there a variety of widely differing views?

I think that's the very point Dunne is trying to make. We assume we're all on the same page, but there is a very wide range of views, and simple definitions can't capture the true complexity and variety of the practice.

I suspect that most of us don't explore that widely. We stick with what we like, or what has worked for us; but may not know what other people, schools or traditions are doing. In other words, we don't know what we don't know.

He argues that there are seven features (three primary / four secondary) of any mindfulness practice. Namely:

1. Object orientation
2. Dereification
3. Meta awareness
4. Aperture
5. Clarity
6. Stability
7. Effort

This kind of framework provides a much more thorough and nuanced (and technical) understanding of mindfulness that one might normally be used to. It takes a little work to get a handle on these 'features' but I think it can help to provide a clearer sense of what we are doing when we meditate.

[beherenow.space]

2. Had to look up a definition for this one: To cause no longer to be a single coherent entity; to cease to treat as a recognisable "thing".
Blimey, and that's just point 2 of 7!
Stephen :-)

[Matt Y]

In the context of mindfulness dereification basically means: not to treat your thoughts as real / believe your thoughts to be real.

Reification is making something real, bringing something into being, or making something concrete.

[Dharmaphreak]

Mindfulness for me is to be mentally present and not lost in autopilot.

[JonW]

"Mindfulness for me is to be mentally present and not lost in autopilot."

It's worth bearing in mind though that mindfulness has as much to do with body awareness as awareness of thought.
All best,
Jon