Historic mindfulness was much more than the contemporary understanding of mindfulness as awareness and being non-judgmental.
There was a REFRAIN after each of the mindfulness practices that indicated one contemplates the body (feelings, mind and dhammas):
* Contemplating experience both INTERNALLY and EXTERNALLY. One contemplates one’s own and then another’s experience.
* Observing the IMPERMANENCE of existence.
* Consciousness of what is present to the extent needed for BARE KNOWLEDGE with SUSTAINED MINDFULNESS such that one is aware of what is present as it is without mental proliferation and selfing.
* ABIDE INDEPENDENT or with NO CLINGING to anything.
Significantly the refrain is pointing to understanding the impermanence of experience and the importance of non-clinging as the segue to freedom.
by Dr. Phil Blustein
February 21, 2025