Mindfulness is the intentional, accepting and non-judgemental focus of one’s attention on the emotions, thoughts and sensations occurring in the present moment,^[1] which can be trained by meditational practices that are described in detail in the Buddhist tradition.

The term “mindfulness” is derived from the Pali-term sati,^[2] “mindfulness”, which is an essential element of Buddhist practice, including vipassana, satipaṭṭhāna and anapanasati. It has been popularized in the West by Jon Kabat-Zinn with his mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program.^[3] Mindfulness is also an attribute of consciousness long believed to promote well-being.^[4] Large population-based surveys have indicated that the construct of mindfulness is strongly correlated with well-being and perceived health.^[5][6] Studies have also shown that rumination and worry contribute to mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety,^[7][8] and mindfulness-based interventions are effective in the reduction of both rumination and worry.^[9][7]

Clinical psychology and psychiatry since the 1970s have developed a number of therapeutic applications based on mindfulness for helping people who are experiencing a variety of psychological conditions.^[10] Mindfulness practice is being employed in psychology to alleviate a variety of mental and physical conditions, such as bringing about reductions in depression symptoms,^[11][12][13] reducing stress,^[14][15][12] anxiety,^[11][12][15] and in the treatment of drug addiction.^[16][17][18] It has gained worldwide popularity as a distinctive method to handle emotions.

Clinical studies have documented the physical and mental health benefits of mindfulness in general, and MBSR in particular.^[19][20][21]Programs based on MBSR and similar models have been widely adapted in schools, prisons, hospitals, veterans centers, and other environments.

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