The Origins of Mindfulness
Mindfulness-based approaches are intended to teach people practical skills that can help with physical and psychological health problems and ongoing life challenges.
The approach is an integration of the ancient Buddhist practice and philosophy of mindfulness, which is over 2,500 years old, with current psychological understanding and knowledge. It is taught in an entirely secular way, and has no religious context at all.
Mindfulness-based approaches help in pragmatic, practical ways; the approaches help people to access their self-reliance, sense of curiosity and inner understanding. Mindfulness is taught through meditation skills which include bringing attention to the breath and the body during stillness and movement.
Mindfulness is also about connecting with our heart and body; the felt sense of how we are in any given moment.