The Contemporary Definition of Mindfulness is Incomplete

The Contemporary Definition of Mindfulness is Incomplete

The contemporary definition of mindfulness as outlined by Jon Kabat-Zinn is: “Awareness of the present moment on purpose, in a particular way and non-judgmentally.” Is being non-judgmental with our experience the end point of mindfulness, or is there more to it? Originally from historic Theravada Buddhism one of the main goals of mindfulness was to act skillfully. This is one of the criticisms of our current understanding of mindfulness, that there is no comment on skillful or ethical behavior.

Apparently JKZ deliberately did not include acting skillfully in the definition. He stated: “Clinical psychologists want very linear and easy to understand definitions. One can’t understand mindfulness with your thinking mind. It is like a koan.” A koan is a puzzle that Zen Buddhists use in their practice to help reveal greater insights through non-conceptual intuition. That may be true, but most people who practice mindfulness are not Zen practitioners.

Ethical behavior in contemporary mindfulness of MBSR is said to be implicit, not explicit. Jon Kabat-Zinn commented on the ethics of MBSR and stated:

The ethical foundation of the practice is to be more implicit than explicit, and that it may be best expressed, supported, and furthered by how we, the MBSR instructor and the entire staff of the clinic, embody it in our own lives and in how we relate to the patients, the doctors, the hospital staff, everybody, and of course, how we relate to our own interior experience.

Contemporary Buddhism 2011, 12:1 Page 295 Some reflections on the origins of MBSR, skillful means, and the trouble with maps.
Jon Kabat-Zinn

He felt that the MBSR staff should model ethical behavior that will influence what the participants do. This is an unrealistic expectation that there will be uniformity in the instructors and their behaviour, intent and teaching style. Also people learn mindfulness from reading and apps without taking an MBSR course or having a teacher.


There also appears to be a faith in the action of the individual to act ethically.


First, it is inevitably the personal responsibility of each person engaging in this work to attend with care and intentionality to how we are actually living our lives, both personally and professionally, in terms of ethical behaviour. An awareness of one’s conduct and the quality of one’s relationships, inwardly and outwardly, in terms of their potential to cause harm, are intrinsic elements of the cultivation of mindfulness as I am describing it here.

Contemporary Buddhism 2011, 12:1 Page 294 Some reflections on the origins of MBSR, skillful means, and the trouble with maps.
Jon Kabat-Zinn

This also seems to be an unrealistic assumption and expectation. One could argue that for most people, one’s personal intent in taking Mindfulness is self-centered motivation in order to feel better personally. To relieve one’s stress. Not ethical behavior.

There needs to be explicit goals set out for what one is doing in order to guide the participants rather than relying on their personal responsibility and capacity to operate from ethics, and the guidance of the MBSR instructors through modeling of behavior.

People want a clear definition and roadmap that outlines what mindfulness is and what is its purpose. According to the definition it seems that the end point is to be non-judgmental. This explains how one is in relationship with the present moment but not what do you do next. The ultimate goal of mindfulness is not to be non-judgmental but to act skillfully in an ethical and non-harming manner. The contemporary definition of mindfulness is misleading!

It is imperative that the goal of ethical behavior as an end point be stated in the definition of mindfulness to help clearly guide the actions of the participants.


by Dr. Phil Blustein
May 19, 2023

Liberation is the Transformation from the Suffering of Being Me to the Freedom of Me Being

Liberation is the Transformation from the Suffering of Being Me to the Freedom of Me Being

Who do you believe you are? What relatively fixed beliefs do you hold about your sense of self? Do you see yourself as quiet, invisible, agreeable, submissive, the good boy or girl, guilty, shameful, powerful or demanding? We are a self-fulfilling prophecy of our personal narrative and constantly act to meet the expectations we hold of our personal image. Every moment the actions of our sense of self are interpreted if they are congruent or incongruent with how we believe we should be in this world. We suffer as we believe we are not perfect. We are constantly trying to meet the unmet needs of our conditioned history. We are our story.

Is this the only way we can be in this world? With repeated reflective practice and discernment there is the capacity to move beyond the conditioned construct of the sense of self and rest in one’s authentic self. This is a space of unification and wholeness. An integration of inner child wounding to rest in a sense of self that acts through non-self-referential discernment rather than self-referential judgment. Is the present moment an expression of ethics, morality, compassion, wisdom and non-harming?

To also rest in Presence or Self that exists beyond the conditionality of self. This embodies an innate compassion, wisdom, joy and interconnectedness. A space that allows for the expression of one’s unique gift calling to live through you. Can one just rest in this essence? Nothing to do. Just be!

We can suffer in BEING ME or rest in the contentment of ME BEING.


by Dr. Phil Blustein
May 10, 2023

The Beauty of Life is Seeing How “Awe Full” It is

The Beauty of Life is Seeing How “Awe Full” It is

We see a beautiful rainbow, mountains, sky, flowers etc. and the next time we see it, it has lost its impact. As humans we quickly habituate to what we experience. This may reflect a primitive biologic need for survival. If we become too engrossed in what we are experiencing we are no longer vigilant to a potential threat. We also make the assumption that it is the same and we know what it is. We become bored. “Nothing new here!” Unfortunately, we miss out on a lot. Just listen to people who have a life threatening illness with a shortened life span. They may often experience an appreciation and joy for every moment that they never had before. What is different? The way they view and are present for the moment! We have all experienced the awe of a majestic moment that seems greater than our human condition. Is it possible to see the awe in everyday experience that on the surface lacks the majesty of the vastness of one’s awe filled moments?

I believe it requires the cultivation of two components. First, we need to be aware of what is present. Conventionally we are not present to what we are experiencing. We multitask, always looking for the next sensory “hit.” We need to slow down. Focus on what we are experiencing. Be aware of what we are aware of. When we have the capacity to have continual awareness of what we are doing in the present moment, this helps to shut down the mental interpretation, amplification and rumination. We short circuit the default mode network of selfing.

Next there needs to be a cultivation of developing a different way to view experience. Value is not inherent to what is being experienced. It is superimposed by us onto what we are in relationship with. Initially we need to look for what is unique with what we are experiencing. Nothing is the same. Can we see the beauty manifesting in all that we experience? Can we see the interconnectedness of existence reflected in what we encounter? Can this be a reminder to have gratitude for one’s capacity to be able to be aware? Can we rejoice in being reminded of the fact that we are alive in this human existence moment to moment? Can we delight in the discovery of what is being revealed to us?

With every experience reflect:
How can I look to see how Awe Full this moment is?


by Dr. Phil Blustein
May 4, 2023

Are You Attentive or Mindful

Are You Attentive or Mindful

How often have you heard: “Be mindful when you eat, drink your tea or coffee, take a shower or bath, talk, walk etc.” There is mindfulness for sex, poker, work, sports, eating. The main emphasis seems to be on paying attention to what you are doing! Does this make a thief or sniper mindful? They are certainly focused. Is this what mindfulness is all about?

I believe that being attentive is confused as mindfulness. There is no question that the first aspect of mindfulness is to be aware. If one is not aware then one is trapped in the automatic reaction to what is happening and you can’t do anything about it. The problem is that there is no direction on what happens after you are aware. Mindfulness is multifaceted. It is about developing a skillful relationship with the present moment. There are multiple components present. Awareness, embodiment, compassion, insight into the true nature of reality and self leading to non-attachment to self and subsequent skillful and ethical action.

Be aware but just don’t stop there!


by Dr. Phil Blustein
March 21, 2023