The Practice of Mindfulness

Mindfulness in essence is the power of attention. It is the ability to be present, self aware and cognizant of one’s environment or situation. It is the faculty that allows us to be fully in the present moment, without reactivity or negative interference. It is the quality of mind that allows us to see the bigger picture, and to bring a spacious power of observation to all that we do.

With skilled guidance, mindfulness  can be systematically cultivated and developed through practice, training the mind in a similar way we train the body at the gym. Mindfulness techniques can be as simple as observing one’s breath, to developing a fine awareness of the body, and clear attention to reactive emotions and the distracting habits of the mind.

Mindfulness at Work

Maintaining a cutting edge in our work and in life relies on our capacity to be fully present and knowing how to respond with skill and decisiveness in the present moment. Mindfulness practices help provide access to an immediate sense of calm, focus and clarity. With skilled guidance mindfulness increases self-awareness, improves concentration and focus, and can unleash creative potential that comes from not being sidetracked by negative, distracted forms of thinking and reactivity. When we can sustain attention without reactivity then we know how to effectively respond to stress, transform problems into learning situations and increase our access to untapped inner resources.

Mindfulness increases the capacity for awareness, harnessing the innate power of our mind to bring to all that we do – in our work, business relationships or with problem solving and creative thinking. It allows us to approach situations with freshness, and therefore opens up greater creative and innovative potential. Mindfulness brings  greater awareness not just of oneself but also to those around us. It helps foster improved listening skills, clearer communication and sensitivity to others. As a result, people act with more integrity and more respect, contributing to everybody’s well being both in the company and beyond.

Consider mindfulness as a personal sustainability practice –allowing people to stay connected to themselves, to their bodies and minds and in doing so, learn how to live a balanced, fulfilled, integrated life. These practices not only encourage improved well-being and create a happier, well-rounded person, but support greater performance, effectiveness, creative thinking and resiliency in the workplace and  an overall healthier and better functioning organization.

Research  on the Effects of Mindfulness

Latest neuroscience research is revealing the power and effectiveness of mind training techniques that develop the resourcefulness of the brain functioning, encourage enhanced processing, provide deep inner relaxation restoration, and overall counter the negative effects of stress and lead to enhanced human potential.

Clinical research has shown that participants in mindfulness programs 
were able to:

Mindfulness is now a proven technique used by corporations like Nokia, 
IBM,  NASA and Shell, Proctor and Gamble, Genentech, Google and 
countless professionals from Fortune 500 companies.