What is Mindfulness?

“Mindfulness is the aware, balanced acceptance of the present experience. It isn’t more complicated than that. It is opening to or receiving the present moment, pleasant or unpleasant, just as it is, without either clinging to it or rejecting it.” – Sylvia Boarstein  

In 2013 I traveled to New York for desk-side appointments with editors of top print media publications, you know the Vogues, Bazaars, InStyles…I was pitching my new baby: BUDHAGIRL.

Everybody I talked to when I began explaining to them what BUDHAGIRL was about looked at me with marked incredulity. Wait, wait, wait…we want to hear about the fashion, the bangles, they look pretty…who cares about mindfulness (that’s like so silly).  I left these appointments feeling defeated and sad that these people who supposedly are opinion makers were so blind to what would become a movement that would change the world.

In the last five years mindfulness has little by little become a household word, it travelled from the teachings of the Buddha to the best-selling Eckart Tolle books. Today, everybody has heard of mindfulness…but even though we have heard about it, and even acknowledge its benefits why do we not practice it?

Mindfulness, and the practice of mindfulness is about letting go. About simply being. About not having to prove anything or even discover anything…or gain anything. And these words proving, discovering and gaining are so entrenched in our society that those who don’t want to be mindful simply reach out for them to challenge a concept that is  not only beneficial but brings joy to everyday life. 

So, I ask you…can you just be?