The Attitudinal Foundation of Mindfulness Practice

The attitude that we bring to the practice of mindfulness will to a large extent determine its long-term value to us. This is why consciously cultivating certain attitudes can be very helpful in getting the most out of the process of meditation. Your intentions set the stage for what is possible. They remind you from moment to moment why you are practicing in the first place. Keeping particular attitudes in mind is actually part of the training itself, a way of directing and channeling your energies so that they can be most effectively brought to bear in the work of growing and healing.

Seven major attitudinal factors constitute the major pillars of mindfulness practice as taught in the stress clinic:

1. non-judging
2. patience
3. beginner's mind
4. trust
5. non-striving
6. acceptance
7. and letting go