What is Mindfulness?

Sitting quietly, doing nothing, not knowing what is next and not concerned with what was or what may be next, a new mind is operating that is not connected with the conditioned past and yet perceives and understands the whole mechanism of conditioni… — Sitting quietly, doing nothing, not knowing what is next and not concerned with what was or what may be next, a new mind is operating that is not connected with the conditioned past and yet perceives and understands the whole mechanism of conditioning. It is the unmasking of the self that is nothing but masks—images, memories of past experiences, fears, hopes, and the ceaseless demand to be something or become somebody. This new mind that is no-mind is free of duality—there is no doer in it and nothing to be done. “Awareness,” by Toni Packer.

Mindfulness:

Bringing present moment awareness to whatever is currently being experienced can provide a refuge. Mindful awareness can help magnify one’s practical, everyday coping skills and can become a comfort in one’s personal journey.

While acknowledging the cultural and historical context of meditative traditions, my approach to mindfulness instruction is secular in nature. My teaching manner aligns with no specific religious traditions and does not aim to challenge one’s belief systems or worship practices. While not opposed to mindfulness as a spiritual gateway to explore our humanness, life, and the universe, my aim is not specifically religious in nature. Simply put, I am interested in personal awakening and the relieving of suffering where possible.

Videos:

"Just Breathe" by Julie Bayer Salzman

"Just Breathe" features young children speaking candidly about anger and how they cope - something for all ages to ponder...

The inspiration for "Just Breathe" first came about a little over a year ago when I overheard my then 5-year-old son talking with his friend about how emotions affect different regions of the brain, and how to calm down by taking deep breaths - all things they were beginning to learn in Kindergarten at their new school, Citizens of the World Charter School, in Mar Vista, CA.

"Release" by Julie Bayer Salzman

“Release” is a Mindful Short from Julie Bayer Salzman which focuses on stress and anxiety as experienced by middle school aged kids.

"Release" is the 2nd in our series of Mindful Shorts, and it focuses on stress and anxiety as experienced by middle school kids.

"into light" by Julie Bayer Salzman

These four high school students used their mindfulness practice to battle their experiences of depression. They learned to take pauses to breathe, make friends with the present moment, reflect on and connect to themselves, feel gratitude, cultivate creativity, and discover freedom from their critical inner voice. [Courtesy Mindful Schools]

The 3rd film in our series of Mindful Shorts, "Into Light" features four teens who successfully use mindfulness to help battle depression. They learned mindfulness through Peace in Schools, a nonprofit that designed the nation's first for-credit, semester-long course in Mindful Studies, now offered to 10 public high schools in the Portland, OR, area.