Mindfulness refers to a natural human capacity for non-judging, present-moment centered awareness. Mindfulness arises simply by paying attention on purpose in a non-judging and accepting way to experiences arising both inside and outside of one’s body. Mindfulness is cultivated at Duke Integrative Medicine by practicing different meditation methods emphasizing awareness- for example awareness of breathing, of one’s body sensations, or of eating. Everyone has the capacity for mindfulness, but there are definitely “skills” that can be practiced, through meditation, to strengthen one’s mindfulness and to make it more available in the challenging or stressful moments of daily life.
