What is Mindfulness and How Westerners Understand it?

In recent years, there has been a trend of westerners embracing Eastern philosophies. Ironically enough, the science of western civilization has started to borrow from eastern religious philosophy. Take the example of mindfulness. Mindfulness is entirely as eastern concept, having been derived from Buddhist teachings. Buddha once taught that attaining mindfulness is a key factor in finding the path to true enlightenment. The best way to approach this possibility for enlightenment? Why of course, combine the state of mindfulness with absorptive meditation.

Western medicine may not agree with the religious philosophy but it definitely sees value in mindfulness and its psychological potential. In fact, it is often used to help patients recover from various personality disorders, in cognitive therapy and in acceptance and commitment therapy.

What does mindfulness meditation literally mean? It refers to a mental state that is characterized by a very calm awareness of one's self. The person who is undergoing mindfulness meditation is aware of his body, aware of his feelings, and aware of his consciousness. He can feel all of these things at once within a single mind.


There are two major components to consider in understanding the core beliefs of mindfulness. First, there is the self-regulation of attention. This means that the person is concentrating only on what is perceived as the immediate experience. This allows the person to more ability to recognize mental events that are happening in the now. The second component involves taking a different view towards all momentary experiences. It involves a person accepting his own mind stream and keeping an open and curious mind to all things.

By Mary Dubitzky