Rooted in the Buddhist tradition and practiced in the modern Western world, mindfulness involves being aware of your existence in the present moment and having the ability to experience emotions and thoughts without bringing value judgments into the process.
Living in a state of mindfulness, which is often accomplished through regular meditation, brings about a sense of focus, balance and well-being.
Mindfulness is further enhanced when you strive to integrate certain complementary virtues and qualities into your personality.
If you are on a journey toward personal growth and self-improvement and wish to live a mindful existence, then the following 12 attributes are worth adopting into your relationships with yourself and others.
1. Patience
Achieving mindfulness takes time, and patience is essential while you are learning to objectively receive and accept your thoughts. Early on, you may find yourself becoming frustrated when you realize that you have not yet mastered living in the present.
Remember to be patient with yourself; mindfulness is an ongoing process and your efforts will take time to pay off.
2. Self-Control
A great deal of self-control is necessary when undertaking mindfulness exercises, meditation and other techniques that encourage personal development.
The impulse to give in to emotions or abandon your practice can impede your progress greatly if you are not able to regulate and control your reactions to present experiences.
3. Acceptance
Having an accepting nature is vital in reaching a state of mindfulness, as this attribute allows you to acknowledge fully your sensations, thoughts and emotions for what they are.
When focusing on your present experiences with the intent of complete acceptance, you can prevent judgments that do nothing but distract from authentic awareness.
4. Contentment
Being content with your life, thoughts, experiences and personal growth greatly enriches the practice of mindfulness. Remember that you do not have to be ecstatic at all times in order to embrace fully the present.
Contentment is about being satisfied and at peace with whatever may come your way.
5. Equanimity
A true state of mental balance, equanimity ensures that you are able to approach mindfulness exercises in a calm, even-tempered and wise manner.
Viewing present circumstances through a lens of equanimity prevents anxiety, anger, agitation and other states of emotional instability from impeding your overall well-being.
6. Studiousness
When embarking on a path to mindfulness, you will want to familiarize yourself with the Buddhist teachings and the Western adaptations of the practice.
A studious nature and a thirst for knowledge are highly advantageous; the more information that you drink in regarding mindfulness, the greater your experience will be enriched.
7. Determination
Though it is important to keep your focus on the present while working toward mindfulness, a determination to succeed on your journey can help you to progress more successfully. Be determined to achieve your goals without being caught up in meeting particular future milestones.
8. Persistence
Persistence goes hand-in-hand with determination. You may struggle with living a mindful life and may find yourself attaching emotions and judgments to your thoughts at times, but do not get discouraged.
If you are persistent in your practice, then you will find mindfulness becoming second nature down the road.
9. Attentiveness
Mindfulness requires great focus and concentration, so if you are inclined to be distracted, you can benefit from using strategies to increase your attention span.
Taking herbal supplements, meditating in a quiet, sparsely furnished room and getting adequate rest will help.
10. Positivity
A positive attitude toward life is conducive to mindfulness in regard to yourself and your interactions with friends and family.
Additionally, the decision to approach the mindfulness process with positivity enables the experience to flow more smoothly and be enjoyable.
11. Integrity
Maintaining your integrity is vital to mindfulness, as this allows you to develop and grow in an authentic manner.
Always take ownership of your thoughts and the ways in which you process the thoughts and actions of others. Dishonesty and distrust are detrimental to living mindfully.
12. Gratitude
Life is precious, and recognizing the circumstances of your existence with gratitude is key to mindfulness and enlightenment.
Be grateful of your ability to seize the present day, and appreciate every moment that you think, act and experience a mindful life.
