Mindfulness  | A Deeper Understanding & Application
Channel: David Listen - Mental Health
Date: 23/04/2024

You've likely heard about "Mindfulness." But where does it come from? And is there just one way to be mindful, or are there many different ways to approach it? And what is the true purpose of mindfulness anyway?

Based on my knowledge and experience as a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) & former Chan/Zen Buddhist monk--this video provides a brief explanation of sitting meditation, and explains the origin & true purpose of mindfulness. Herein, I present the popular, clinical approach of mindfulness, as well as the deeper, Buddhist approach to mindfulness and meditation. 

Although this is far from a complete presentation of mindfulness, it includes an explanation of "selective" and "non-selective" approaches as they relate to the development of concentration and insight. The presentation includes a description of the experiential process of Buddhist meditation, leading to the profound and often difficult-to-understand insight of "selflessness." 

It's not my intent to claim that only the Buddhist approach to mindfulness is useful and deep, but to recognize and explain the differences, benefits, and outcomes of various approaches to this practice. 

0:00 Intro to Mindfulness
3:06 Sitting Meditation 
5:39 Purpose of Buddhist Mindfulness
9:19 Selective Mindfulness
12:19 Non-selective Mindfulness
15:55 Attitude Towards Practice & Experience
17:43 Conclusion

For information on secular mindfulness:
https://www.ummhealth.org/umass-memorial-medical-center/services-treatments/center-for-mindfulness

For retreats and classes on Buddhist mindfulness & meditation: 
http://dharmadrumretreat.org

For more suggested reading on this topic: 

Thich Nhat Hanh: 
Nhat Hanh, Thich. How to Live: Boxed Set Essential Mindfulness Series. Parallax, 2016.  ISBN-10194152947X  

Rebecca Li:
Li, Rebecca. Illumination: The Buddhist Method of No-Method. Shambhala, 2023. ISBN 9781645470892.
https://rebeccali.org/

John Kabat-Zinn: 
Kabat-Zinn, John. Mindfulness for Beginners: reclaiming the present moment - and your life. Sounds True, Inc., 2012. ISBN 978-1-60407-753-7.
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My website:  https://www.davidlisten.com

#mindfulness #mentalhealth #wellness  #meditation