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Mindfulness is an increasingly popular concept that is taking hold in the self-help and medical worlds. There is a great deal of interest in mindfulness practice among western clinical psychologists and psychiatrists as a natural way to reduce stress, anxiety, and chronic pain.

Mindfulness is awareness of one’s current thoughts, actions or motivations. It has roots in Buddhism, but the modern interpretation of mindfulness is a secular one that is not connected to any religion.

Mindfulness is the ability to intentionally create a “present moment” awareness without applying our personal filters or lenses of judgment to a situation.

We may do damage to our personal or business relationships when we’re quick to interpret events and interaction with others with an emotional response. The goal of mindfulness is to be open and non-judgmental about what’s happening externally as well as any emotions that are arising internally at the present moment.

When we move our awareness from thoughts about the future or past into the present moment, we are practicing mindfulness. The more frequently we can live in the present, the more peace we find in our inner and outer realities.

Our internal peace comes from the ability to notice and then quiet the self-talk or chatter going on in our mind. Once we become aware and tune into our mind chatter, it can be shocking to realize how much judgment and commentary is being produced there!

By the simple act of noticing the mind chatter, we have the ability to analyze it or stop it. We can observe the thoughts without judging them or ourselves for having them.

Thoughts are just that. They may not have any connection to reality or intent. If we understand that thoughts can be released, we can let go of the ones that are not positive, productive, or truthful.

Problems arise in our inner and outer realities when we get trapped by negative or untruthful self-talk. This happens when we react to our mind’s commentary without analyzing it first. Many of our thoughts may not be truthful or helpful to us in any way.

To be present in the moment, we should also be a witness to the positive and beautiful thoughts and sensations we experience. We can bring awareness to our breath, to the cool wind, to the warm water we bathe in, or to the complex taste of the food we eat.

When we approach our thoughts and emotions with curiosity as they come and go, we take control of our mind, instead of letting our mind take control of us.