What is Being Mindful

According to the Rick Hanson, being mindful is simply having good control over your attention.  Your attention can be placed where ever you want it to be.  When your attention is steady so is your mind explains Hanson.  With steady attention your mind is not hijacked by what ever pops into your awareness. Monkey mind is the traditional critical term to for skittish attention.

"Attention is like a spot light and what it illuminates streams into your mind and shapes your brain.  Gaining control over your intention is perhaps the single most powerful way to reshape your brain and thus your mind. You can train and strengthen your attention just like any other mental ability, Hanson.

Methods for deep contemplation, concentration and mindfulness are included in all traditions.    Typically one practices focused attention where your attention becomes absorbed in a something such as the breath.  Absorbing your attention completely on your breath for 1 breath cycle and then increasing up to 10 will help to train your attention.  Try this and notice what your mind does.  Are you able to hold your attention on the breath or do thoughts come in and interrupt the process?

Incorporating mindfulness into your life with not only enhance your physical fitness program but every other aspect of your life.  

Rick Hanson is author of the Buddha's Brain: Th Practical Neuroscience of happiness, love and wisdom.

http://www.rickhanson.net/