The why’s and how’s of our mindful practices matter. Meditation is not a quick and easy “fix”. It doesn’t necessarily eliminate inner or outer difficulties. In fact, as self-awareness increases, there can be a lot from within to encounter as we notice more. Maybe we hear that judgy, hypercritical inner voice. Maybe we feel subtle pangs of tender grief in the heart or notice the soundtrack of a nagging old thought pattern playing in the background of mind. 

Just as we may come across things we don’t like so much, mindful practices also help uncover innate strengths of our awareness from within to be able to meet and be with the wholeness of who we are in more steady and spacious ways. 

Yoga philosophy teaches that santosha (contentment) and ānanda (peaceful joy) don’t necessarily arise by grasping for them or feeling “good” directly. They arise as a consequence of intentionally caring for ourselves through all of our phases by inviting supportive attitudes and ways of being that nurture skillful discernment, wise openness of heart, and flexibility of mind.  

So what are the intentions and attitudes that support mindful attending? There are many. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras outline a list of ten moral and ethical considerations for practice. Schools of Buddha dharma across Asia share various lists of ethical invitations and factors for awakening to awareness. Tāntrik, Vedantic, Sikhi, and Jaina traditions of South Asia include similar supports and additional ones.

Modern mindfulness teachers often draw from these philosophies and other world traditions, as well as Western psychological understandings. The most commonly evoked attitude is non-judgement or non-harming (ahiṃsā). By bringing a quality equanimous love to the ways we witness and engage with our inner world, ahiṃsā nurtures clear discernment, helping us to reduce harm from within and open to intuitive, creative insights as we relate with the nature of this life.

For opportunities to put ahiṃsā and other supportive attitudes into practice, join the Vishuddha community for Dr. Rashmi’s monthly Melting into Being yoga sessions.

Tifft, E.D.; Underwood, S.B.; Roberts, M.Z.; Forsyth, J.P. Using Meditation in a Control vs. Acceptance Context: A Preliminary Evaluation of Relations with Anxiety, Depression, and Indices of Well-Being. J. Clin. Psychol. 2022, 78, 1407–1421.