Mindfulness

What we call meditation — sitting quietly without moving — is a particularly focused form of mindfulness. But mindfulness practice goes beyond conventional meditation. Once we have some training in mindfulness meditation, we can extend mindfulness to any other activity, until eventually, mindfulness becomes a way of life. We become much more aware of what is going on, within and without. When we’re angry we know that we’re angry, when afraid we know we’re afraid. With awareness of our state, we don’t react wildly compelled by unconscious impulses; instead, we respond with much more accuracy and kindness. This movement from reactivity to response is the key shift that mindfulness practice aims for. But it comes about organically, with training, without forcing anything. 

Norman Fischer
from When You Greet Me I Bow