Shanida Nataraja 

The defining principles of mindfulness meditation

Mindfulness teaches us not to judge experiences, but to observe them with a detached attitude, says Shanida Nataraja
  
  


1. Non-judgmental attitude

Making value judgments is part of being human. We rate our experiences and behaviour as "good " or "bad", and strive to maximise the good and minimise the bad. We move from the joy and optimism created by good experiences to the disappointment created by bad experiences. Mindfulness teaches us not to judge experiences, but to observe them with a detached attitude.

2. Beginner's mind

This refers to having a state of openness to different ways of looking at our experiences. Many of us have a fairly rigid view of our world: we often filter our experiences to reinforce this view, rather than seeing things as they really are. Mindfulness encourages the practitioner to experience every experience without any preconceptions, as if for the first time. In doing so, the practitioner becomes more open to new experiences and new perspectives.

3. Letting go

We have a tendency to attach emotional significance to certain places, people, thoughts and behaviours. A memory of a night out with a loved one becomes so precious, so pleasurable, that it is replayed again and again in our heads, allowing us to relive the pleasure we felt at the time.

In the same way, an unpleasant experience can haunt us for many years, interrupting our daily lives and reminding us of the anxiety we experienced. Mindfulness teaches a greater awareness of the experiences, thoughts and behaviour that we have become attached to, and allows us to let go of these experiences and the emotions attached to them.

 

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