What Is Mindfulness? The Buddhist Definition May Surprise You

It's different than the popular one we commonly hear

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The most popular definition of mindfulness originated with Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., Professor of Medicine emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

You can see Kabat-Zinn’s definition almost everywhere. It’s plastered across social media in countless memes. It’s quoted in an endless number of articles on modern-day mindfulness. It’s difficult to miss if you’re interested in mindfulness.

It is:

“Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally.”—Jon Kabat-Zinn

Kabat-Zinn sometimes adds, “…in the service of self-understanding and wisdom.”

I’ve always wondered why Kabat-Zinn used the word “non-judgmentally.” If you’ve meditated, you know that many judgements will come up in your mind. Now I realize this is his modern translation of the classic Buddist “attachment and aversion.”

So I agree. Although it may be difficult initially, our goal is not to judge the judgements or any other thoughts or emotions that arise in mindfulness meditation.

I admire Kabat-Zinn. He spearheaded the modern mindfulness movement through his world-renown Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR)program, which first opened its doors in 1979.

Kabat-Zinn’s MBSR teachings have helped thousands of people manage stress, cope with pain, and improve focus and productivity. I’ve taken his MBSR course several times.

Kabat-Zinn’s definition of mindfulness works just fine in a modern-day context. But is it the same as the Buddhist definition of mindfulness?

Let’s investigate.

Remembering in Mindfulness Meditation

The Pali word “sati” is universally translated as “mindfulness” across all Buddhist traditions. The primary connotation of sati is to remember, to recollect, to call to mind.

You can find this meaning of sati as early as the Buddha’s teachings in the Satipatthana Sutta, known in English as The Discourse on the Foundations of Mindfulness. The same explanation has been taught by later Buddhist scholars such as Vasubhandu, Asanga, and Tsongkhapa.

As you can see, there’s no mention of the present moment or non-judgement either—not that they’re irrelevant in mindfulness practice. But the main point is that we have to remember to remember.

In the context of mindfulness meditation, what is it that we remember? What is it that we recollect?

1. You recollect the instruction and the method, or you will not be able to practice mindfulness at all, or you may practice it incorrectly. You’re recalling something you learned in the past.

2. You remember the object of your practice. In the first stage of mindfulness you typically focus on an object like the breath, a physical form like a statue or a flower, or a sense experience like hearing the sounds that arise around you. You lightly place your attention on the selected object. But you have to remember to keep it there, don’t you? This is present-centered mindfulness.

3. You recollect what to do if your mind becomes agitated or dull and you lose your mindfulness. This entails remembering what to do in the future.

Strictly speaking, in a Buddhist context, mindfulness can involve the past, the present, and the future.

Mindfulness and Remembering in Everyday Life

Mindfulness isn’t limited to meditation. We practice mindfulness meditation so we can be more mindful in every moment.

While taking my calcium this morning, I realized how uncomfortable it would be if I were to mindlessly swallow the small plastic freshness tube contained in the bottle, presumably for freshness. It’s about the same size as the calcium capsules, making it a scary possibility.

It would be easy to do, wouldn’t it?

When we’re lost in thought, we sometimes don’t see what’s right in front of us—the small plastic tube in the vitamin bottle, the freeway exit, or a critical instruction on the paper in our hand.

Aside from possibly saving you from choking, mindfulness can assist you in another critical way. It can help you reduce negative thoughts and emotions and increase positive ones, thus leading to a happier life.

The Indo-Greek King Menander I (Milinda in Pali), who ruled a sizeable ancient kingdom from 160 to 130 BCE, asked the enlightened Buddhist monk Nagasena, “What is mindfulness?”

Nagasena replied:

“Mindfulness when it arises it calls to mind wholesome and unwholesome tendencies with faults and faultless, inferior and refined, dark and pure, gathered with their counterparts.”

Nagasena’s definition of mindfulness intimately connects the practice with the happiness and suffering that results from acting upon wholesome or unwholesome tendencies.

When you get caught in anger, jealous, or envy, you’re likely to feel unhappy, right? When you focus on peace, kindness, and compassion, you’re likely to feel happier, right?

The regular practice of mindfulness creates more space in your mind. In that space, you can more easily discern between thoughts, words, and actions that bring benefit and ones that bring harm. With this clarity of mind, you can make wiser choices.

As such, mindfulness leads to ethical discipline (“sila” in Sanskrit).

Simply said, a mindful person is aware of the consequences of their actions. They resist knee-jerk reactions based in attachment or aversion. They consistently choose to engage in beneficial behaviors.

That’s a simple formula for happiness.

Thus, the Buddhist definition of mindfulness automatically includes a caring attitude (“apramada” in Sanskrit).

Mindfulness requires a mix of several different mental factors. The primary ones include mindfulness (the ability to remember to stay present to the object of your attention), alertness, and a caring attitude.

The caring attitude protects the mind from straying into the negative and keeps it on an upbeat track. Thus, mindfulness automatically encompasses ethical discipline, which is sometimes absent as a focus in presentations of modern mindfulness.

“Mindfulness meditation should be more than just watching what you are doing. What you really need to watch is your motivation.”—Thubten Zopa Rinpoche

Concluding Thoughts

The definition of mindfulness differs between modern-day mindfulness and Buddhism. But it’s not a matter of one being right and the other being wrong.

The popular definition of mindfulness originated with Jon Kabat-Zinn and his Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction program, introduced in 1979. It can serve you well if you’re engaged in mindfulness practice for practical reasons—like less stress, less pain, or less anxiety.

The Buddhist definition of mindfulness adds the connotation of remembering, recollecting, and calling to mind. In this context, mindfulness also encompasses a caring attitude, which can make the difference between your behaviors resulting in happiness or suffering.

What do you think? Does it help you to know the expanded Buddhist definition of mindfulness?

Sources:

• Mindfulness: The Mental Factors Involved by Dr. Alexander Berzin

• The Way of Shamatha Retreat, Session 6 with Buddhist scholar B. Alan Wallace

• My 40 years of Buddhist study and practice.

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