of meaning and purpose to life, based on understanding the nonseparation of self and other. Given the condition we find ourselves in these days on the planet, understanding our interconnectedness is not a spiritual luxury; its a societal imperative Jon Kabat-ZinnJeff Brantley: Have you ever started eating an ice-cream cone, taken a lick or two, then noticed all you had was a sticky napkin in your hand? Or been going somewhere and arrived at your destination only to realise you hadnt noticed anything or anyone along the way?Of course you have; we all have. These are common examples of mindlessness, or going on autopilot.We all fall in to habits of inattention that result in our not being present for our lives. The consequences of this inattention can be quite costly. They can result in our missing some really good things and also in our ignoring really important information and messages about our lives, our relationships, and even our own health.Our reactions to the stressful events of our lives can become so habituated that they occur essentially out of our awareness until, because of physical, or emotional, or psychological dysfunction, we cannot ignore them any longer. These reactions can include tensing the body; experiencing painful emotional states, even panic and depression; and being prisoners of habits of thinking and self-talk, including obsessional list making and intense, even toxic, self-criticism.An important antidote to this tendency to tune out, to go on automatic pilot, is to practice mindfulness.Jan Chozen Bays: Left to our own devices, we easily become lost in thoughts about the past and the future. The capacity of the human mind to plan for the future is a unique gift. Unfortunately the mind, in its anxiety for us, tries to make plans for a huge number of possible futures, most of which will never arrive. This constant leapfrogging into the future is a waste of our mental and emotional energy.When we allow the mind to rest in the present, full of what is actually happening right now, redirecting it away from repeated fruitless excursions in to the past, or future, or fantasy realms, we are doing something very important: conserving the energy of the mind. It remains fresh and open, ready to respond to whatever appears before it.How can mindfulness benefit employees in the workplace?Helps us think more effectivelyFosters attention to detail and increased concentrationAids stress regulation and reductionAids self-awareness, self-acceptance and self-confidenceRaises emotional intelligenceAids mental and emotional resilienceAids optimal performance through freeing up full human potentialHelps cut through mental distraction allowing us to listen to each other more effectivelyHelps to foster effective communication and manage difficult conversationsFosters the ability to make mature, sound choices and helps effective decision makingHelps to avoid habitual reactions to one another and aids co-operationFosters empathy, care and concern for the needs of others, leading to a positive outcome for allFosters peacefulness, openness, and a brighter outlookWho is it for?Anybody, in any context. Mindfulness is growing. The following people are applying some form of mindfulness in their work or experimenting with doing so (Barry Boyce):Health care practitionersTherapistsTeachersProfessorsJournalistsSocial workersSocial