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TopDefining Mindfulness
The concept of mindfulness has become increasingly popular, yet there is no functional definition commonly accepted by all researchers and practitioners. The definition by Jon Kabat-Zinn, a leader and catalyst to the mindfulness movement, is often cited that includes the following: “paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally” (Kabat-Zinn, 1994, p.4). Kabat-Zinn more recently proposed the following operational working definition, “the awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally to the unfolding of experience moment by moment” (Kabat-Zinn, 2003, p. 145). In other words, mindfulness is listening, and being present without judgment of yourself or others.
Another mindfulness definition provides further clarification regarding its components, “mindfulness can refer to any one or a combination of three things: 1) a form of awareness, 2) the practice that elevates that form of awareness, and 3) the application of that awareness for specific perceptual and behavioral goals” (Young, 2013, p. 14). Further contributing to the definition of mindfulness, Shapiro, Carlson, Astin, Freedman (2006) posited a theory that mindfulness contains three axioms, intention, attitude, and attention, or “observing one’s moment-to-moment, internal and external experience…in the here and now” (Shapiro et al., 2006, p. 4).