What is Mindfulness and What Does It Mean to You (Part 1)
- Vassilis Xypolias
- Mar 24
- 3 min read
Have you ever been driving somewhere and upon arriving at your destination, realized that you don't remember anything about the trip? Or started eating a packet of chips while surfing the internet and at some point, realized that all you had left in your hands was an empty packet...?
It has happened to most of us!
Unconsciousness
These are just a few examples of the absence of consciousness or otherwise a-consciousness . A state of mental wandering of the mind that neuroscience calls the “ Default Mode Network ” and that simultaneously puts us on the so-called “autopilot” . Research shows that the mind “travels” on average 47% of our waking time. During this time, our attention is absorbed in memories from the past, scenarios for the future, evaluations or self-criticism and we are essentially “absent” completely or partially from our experience in the present. Being in this mental state, we operate out of habit and/or reactively and therefore, “automatically”. The above research also concludes that the more the mind is “absent” from the present, the less happy we feel.
Furthermore, in the technologically hyperconnected world we live in today, it is very easy to "forget" ourselves for hours by mindlessly surfing the internet or scrolling through social media.
So what is Mindfulness ?
Mindfulness, awareness, or mindfulness, is the opposite of unconsciousness. It means that we get off autopilot and regain control of our attention, and to a large extent, of our lives. The pioneering scientist in mindfulness and creator of the globally recognized Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, Jon Kabat-Zinn , defines mindfulness as “the intentional observation of our experience in the present moment, non-judgmentally.” This definition summarizes the basic “ingredients” (skills) of mindfulness, which we will briefly discuss below.
"Mindfulness is the intentional observation of our experience in the present, without judgment."
Jon Kabat-Zinn
1. Intention
The first and most basic skill of mindfulness is the intentional management of our attention . We can think of our attention as a “lens” and concentration as the choice to focus it. As it is often said, “where our attention is, there is our reality.”
2. Observation
The second “component” of mindfulness is that of observation . As scientists of ourselves, mindfulness helps us recognize and observe in real time (present) all the phenomena that shape what we experience, our inner and outer experience:
The five physical senses: sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch
Thoughts and feelings
3. Present
The present is truly the only moment we have to live. The only moment to feel, to learn, to change, to share and to enjoy. If we leave the mind unchecked, it usually prefers to be somewhere else or things to be somehow different. The degree of awareness we bring to the moments of our lives determines our choices and the conditions for the next moments - the next present!
4. Without Criticism (Curiosity)
The final “ingredient” of mindfulness is non-judgmental, or detached, observation. The purpose of mindfulness is not to change, prolong, or suppress thoughts, feelings, or sensations, since they are already there. What we do is to bring our attention with intention and friendly curiosity to our current experience without judging, analyzing, or evaluating it, including the thoughts and feelings themselves.
By developing and integrating mindfulness, we can gradually disconnect from unconscious mental wandering ( the mind, the autopilot) and unconsciousness, creating “space” for more and more skillful choices , bringing wellness, prosperity and true freedom to our lives!
Whether you wish to bring mental balance and resilience into your life, or to support your intellectual performance and personal development, Mindfulness 360 offers comprehensive programs aimed at familiarizing, cultivating and integrating mindfulness skills into different aspects of your life.
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