Mindfulness- A Newly Emerging Paradigm

Mindfulness is being fully present to what’s happening at the present moment in me and around me compassionately and non-judgmentally; what is here and now without being hijacked by the past that is already gone and the future which is yet to arrive. We live in a fast-paced world with a mart phone in our hand and a lap top in the front of us. No wonder why we do not find time to be with us and with others in our life. Practicing mindfulness helps to be focused and centered to be with ourselves and with others in deeper and more meaningful way.

The roots of mindfulness are in the ancient wisdom tradition of Buddhism. Buddhism offers us a way of understanding and alleviating suffering. In that way mindfulness is secular. One does not have to be a Buddhist or a Hindu to learn and practice Mindfulness.

Jon Kabat- Zinn introduced Mindfulness in Mindfulness-Based- Stress Reduction Program at the Medical School of Massachusetts University in Boston 35 years ago. Since then Mindfulness paradigm has been widely accepted and practiced by medical and mental health practitioners, schools, prisons and for treating veterans for post- traumatic stress disorder. Thousands of research studies have demonstrated physical, mental, and emotional benefits of practicing Mindfulness.