“Mindfulness is knowing what is happening, while it is happening, without preference.” - Rob Nairn

Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Yet, once we try doing this, we might realize how difficult it can be to actually stay in the present moment, without our minds wandering off into thoughts about past or future events. Only adding to this are our emotions, opinions, assumptions, biases, fears, and expectations, all of which color our own version of ‘reality.’ This is, after all, how the brain is wired - not for joy but for survival, wanting to label, analyze, predict and control what it can to feel safe.

Mindfulness gently helps us to wake up from this illusion, which is often the cause of our own suffering. When we become mindful, we can begin to see clearly the truth of the present moment as it is, without our own biased interpretation of it. It is in this space where our peace of mind, true inner freedom, authenticity and sense of empowerment lie. They are already within us; we simply need to learn how to tap into them for the benefit of ourselves and for those around us.

“Practice as if your life depends on it - and it probably does.” - Jon Kabat-Zinn