I have an issue with most of the widely accepted definitions of mindfulness. They never resonated with me. They kind of don’t make total sense.

Here’s what Wikipedia provides as a definition: “Mindfulness is the cognitive skill, usually developed through meditation, of sustaining meta-attentive awareness towards the contents of one’s own mind in the present moment.”

Seriously?!

Good luck selling mindfulness with that definition!

Jon Kabat-Zinn defines mindfulness this way: “Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally, in the service of self-understanding and wisdom.”

I love Kabat-Zinn, but…really? Does it take that many words?

Too many words just confuses people. It also leads to uncertainty. For instance, do we really understand what is meant by the words “awareness that arises”? Does awareness arise? Did my awareness arise just then? I’m not sure.

I think we could all benefit from a really simple definition. Here’s my attempt at it.

Mindfulness is two things: knowing that you’re aware AND being aware of whatever you’re experiencing right now.

Think about that for yourself. Right now. You do know that you’re aware. And are you, right now, aware of whatever you’re experiencing? Yes? Then you’re mindful.

Practice that, and you’ll be living a mindful life. Here’s to simplicity.