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Who Is Mindfulness For?

Ordinary people.

Mindfulness is for anyone who wants go deeper—to increase the awareness they already have and learn as much as possible about the world and the way it works.

What does mindfulness practice accomplish?

Most mindfulness teachers will tell you that mindfulness is not about accomplishing anything. As far as the practice of mindfulness is concerned, this is precisely correct. However, there are some pretty engaging "side effects" of mindfulness practice that may serve well as motivators for starting and continuing your practice. There is also a way of knowing that involves mindfulness practice and doesn't work very well if you are unable to practice mindfulness.

People who practice mindfulness are likely to make personally more meaningful choices. Mindfulness can help them to see a clearer picture of what's important to them and what they really want out of life. Early in their practice they may become better able to recognize negative influences. They may find themselves less often swayed by other people's expectations or by their own habits and cravings, freeing them to more easily clarify their own true purpose. When presented with a challenge or opportunity, they may refrain from immediate reaction, and reflect on what to do. This kind reflection aides them in continuing to head in the right direction.

Cultivating your own mindfulness practice is the first step on your path to meaningful work. By adopting a systematic approach to this kind of awareness, you will learn how to:

  • Develop greater control over any emotions that may be holding you back from meaningful work.
  • See your current situation for what it really is, as distinct from what your hopes, fears, and expectations may be telling you it is.
  • Achieve greater wisdom about your life's purpose.
  • Recognize the obstacles you face in your search for meaningful work, including the subtle, hidden barriers that you might not otherwise notice, such as a fear of the unknown or a tendency to defer automatically to your parents' or society's expectations.
  • Minimize your risks.
  • Welcome new information more readily, and appreciate a wider range of viewpoints, so that you won't ignore possibilities.
  • Recognize and embrace opportunities as they arise.
  • Relax, and enjoy the process. Goals are important, of course, but, in the end, you don't want to have missed life's journey.

Your practice of mindfulness will set the context for your progress toward meaningful work. Be patient. Like any useful skill, this one takes long and continued practice.

The ancient followers of the Tao were
subtle, mysterious and penetrating.
They were too deep to be fathomed.
All we can do is describe their appearance.
Hesitant, as if crossing a winter stream.
Watchful, as if aware of neighbors on all sides.
Respectful, like a visiting guest.
Yielding, like ice beginning to melt.
Simple, like an Uncarved Block.
Open, like a valley.
Obscure, like muddy water.

Who else can be still,
and let the muddy water slowly become clear?
Who else can remain at rest,
and slowly come to life?
Those who hold fast to the Tao
do not try to fill themselves to the brim.
Because they do not try to be full,
they can be worn out and yet, ever new.

Tao Te Ching, Chapter 15



Mindfulness can help us appreciate a wider range of viewpoints.

Why is this important?
Because you never know where or when insights and opportunities may appear. If you close your eyes because the view doesn't suit your taste, you could miss your stop.

Why would I close my eyes?
To protect yourself from anything that falls outside your "comfort level."

But I think I'm a pretty open person.
Perhaps you are. But you want to make changes in your life, and that could be dangerous.

So?
The human brain will always try to protect us from danger. The path to meaningful work is one of personal growth, which invariably involves thinking or doing something new. Anything new is unknown. Anything unknown holds potential danger. No matter how much you want to make a change, the protective nature of your brain is going to try to stop you. ("Don't do that! You might get hurt.")

The brain is . . . an organ of survival, like claws and fangs. It makes one think things are true when they're really only advantageous.

Albert Szent-Gyorgi, Nobel Laureate

How does mindfulness change that?
Mindfulness helps you stand back and detach from the brain's automatic response to danger. You may still heed your own warnings and choose not to make a certain change, but you will have done so with your eyes open.


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