Knowing you are aware
In mindfulness, you are not only aware of what is going on but you know that you are aware. It's like the difference between walking and knowing that you are walking. The knowing is what makes the difference when it comes to mindfulness. Mindfulness is something we naturally dip in and out of. When you deliberately practise mindfulness you try to be mindful more often. In my opinion it cannot do harm and is an asset worth cultivating.
Longer time
In meditation you focus your attention on an object such as your breath over a period of time, say twenty minutes. This can lead to:
- a sense of calm
- or of restlessness
- or what what Buddhist meditators sometimes call 'afflicted' mind.
Afflicted mind
In 'afflicted mind' painful thoughts, emotions and memories arise. That's why I have real doubts about introducing meditation to groups of strangers - in the workplace for instance - about whom I know nothing and who I may never see again: I don't want to leave anyone to cope with that 'afflicted mind.'
But I am happy to introduce mindfulness itself to anyone - it is immediately beneficial and doesn't do harm.
(These thoughts were prompted by an article in Tricycle Magazine called The Mindfulness Solution by Andrew Olendzki, author of Unlimiting Mind and director of the Barre Centre for Buddhist Studies. The article is probably only accessible if you have a subscription to Tricycle).
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