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12 EASTERN HORIZON | TEACHINGS

It is:
The Buddhist “Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying
attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-
judgementally.”—Jon Kabat-Zinn
Definition of

Kabat-Zinn sometimes adds, “…in the service of self-
understanding and wisdom.”
Mindfulness I admire Kabat-Zinn. He spearheaded the modern

mindfulness movement through his world-renown
By Sandra Pawula Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program,
which first opened its doors in 1979.

Sandra has studied Kabat-Zinn’s MBSR teachings have helped thousands
Buddhism for more of people manage stress, cope with pain, and improve
than thirty years focus and productivity. I’ve taken his MBSR course more
and have explored than once myself.
non-dual
teachings from Kabat-Zinn’s definition of mindfulness works just fine in
various traditions. a modern-day context. But is it the same as the Buddhist
She meditates daily definition of mindfulness?
and have taught
mindfulness meditation, Let’s investigate.
loving-kindness practice, and the fundamentals of
Buddhism to many others. She can be contacted at Remembering in Mindfulness Meditation
www.alwayswellwithin.com The Pali word “sati” is universally translated as
“mindfulness” across all Buddhist traditions. The
primary connotation of sati is to remember, to recollect,

Since the Corona pandemic, waiting has once again to call to mind.
entered our consciousness as a central and unavoidable
part of life. In our fast-paced world, we had become My first Buddhist teacher told his students, “Remember
accustomed to the fact that many things are just a mouse to remember to remember.”
click away. But whether we are standing in a line, waiting
for an answer, or expecting a certain outcome, waiting You can find this meaning of sati as early as the Buddha’s
and impatience are often siblings. teachings in the Satipatthana Sutta, known in English
as The Discourse on the Foundations of Mindfulness.
The most popular definition of mindfulness originated The same explanation has been taught by later Buddhist
with Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., Professor of Medicine scholars such as Vasubhandu, Asanga, and Tsongkhapa.
emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Medical
School. As you can see, there’s no mention of the present
moment or non-judgement either—not that they’re
You see Kabat-Zinn’s definition almost everywhere. It’s irrelevant in mindfulness practice.
plastered across social media in countless memes. It’s In the context of mindfulness meditation, what is it that
quoted in an endless number of articles on modern-day we remember? What is it that we recollect?
mindfulness. It’s difficult to miss if you’re interested in
mindfulness. 1. You recollect the instruction and the method or
you wouldn’t be able to practice mindfulness at all.