What is Mindfulness?
By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist
I often ask, what is mindfulness to you? People often tell me that they have been taught about and use mindfulness, but they struggle to describe what it is, or how it works, or where it benefits them in their lives. Some tell me that mindfulness doesn’t work for them because they can’t pay attention, or they can’t make their mind go blank, or they say something along the lines of “don’t tell me to place my thoughts on a leaf.”
I take great care to explain in a practical way that mindfulness is an intentional practice with multiple latent benefits happening in the background. If not well understood, it can seem like a mystical or abstract concept; it is, however, a deliberate choice to practice paying attention — to tune into what is happening right now, regardless of if it’s uncomfortable or pleasant. It’s the daily act of noticing when your mind has wandered and gently, kindly guiding it back to the here and now. It’s about accepting that our typical experience is a mix between having some conscious control over the focus of our mind while it drifts between thoughts. The meaning-making of our mind has an ongoing reciprocal relationship with our emotions and with the regulation of our autonomic nervous system. With practice, we can learn to have some insightful and intentional self-regulatory control in this process.
Mindfulness has religious roots dating back thousands of years, drawing particularly from Buddhist traditions. Religious teachings are a blend of psychology and spirituality. Though the origins of mindfulness are religious, my practice and teaching of mindfulness is strictly psychological. It is a practical skill that can support emotional health, psychological flexibility, and personal resilience — available to anyone, regardless of their religious or spiritual beliefs.
A Gentle, Universal Practice
It is not about perfect attention, emptying the mind, or always feeling calm. It is a practice of returning, again and again, to awareness — even if your mind wanders a thousand times.
This makes mindfulness deeply human and accessible to everyone, regardless of age, background, belief system, or life circumstance.
You don’t need special equipment, long hours, or a particular personality type. You need only your willingness to show up for your life, one moment at a time.
If you would like to explore how Mindfulness may be appropriate to support your Mental and Emotional wellbeing,
Choosing the right psychologist to support you on this journey is an important step. Read our guide on how to choose the right psychologist for you.
References and Resources
- Australian Psychological Society – Being mindful of mindfulness
- Health Direct – Mindfulness
- The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh
