Seven Simple Attitudes for Mindful Living

Author

MIndful Petals
October 07, 2024

Mindfulness is more than just a practice; it’s a way of living that invites us to slow down and engage fully with the present moment. In his book Full Catastrophe Living, Jon Kabat-Zinn introduces seven essential attitudes that can help anyone live more mindfully. These seven attitudes — non-judging, patience, beginner’s mind, trust, non-striving, acceptance, and letting go — are not just tools for meditation but for navigating daily life as well. Let’s dive into these attitudes and see how they can help us find calm, clarity, and balance in an often chaotic world.

Photo by Chaney Zimmerman on Unsplash

1. Non-Judging

We all have a tendency to label things — this is good, that’s bad, and so on. But mindfulness invites us to observe our thoughts and experiences without assigning those labels. Non-judging means stepping back and simply noticing what’s happening without getting caught up in evaluating it. It’s about allowing each moment to be what it is, without filtering it through judgment.

How to Practice Non-Judging:

  • Pay attention to when judgment arises, either about yourself or others.

  • Acknowledge that judgment, but don’t feed it or act on it.

  • Practice observing each moment as it comes, without labeling it as good or bad.

2. Patience

Patience is the understanding that things unfold in their own time. When we become impatient, it’s usually because we want things to happen differently than they are. But life has its own rhythm. By practicing patience, we learn to let things be as they are, trusting that everything will come together when it’s meant to.

How to Practice Patience:

  • Notice when you’re rushing or pushing to make something happen.

  • Remind yourself that life has its own pace.

  • Approach challenging situations with a calm heart, knowing things will unfold as they should.

3. Beginner’s Mind

Beginner’s mind means seeing the world with fresh eyes, like you’re encountering everything for the first time. It’s about letting go of old expectations and judgments and being open to the possibility that each moment has something new to offer. This mindset allows us to break free from our usual patterns and experience life in a richer, more curious way.

How to Practice Beginner’s Mind:

  • Be curious about everyday things, even if you’ve seen them a thousand times.

  • Pay attention to details you might usually overlook — sounds, sights, and textures.

  • Approach each conversation, breath, or situation as if it were brand new.

4. Trust

Trust is about having confidence in your own ability to understand your thoughts and feelings. Mindfulness helps you tap into your inner wisdom, allowing you to rely less on outside validation. Trusting yourself means being attuned to your mind and body and realizing that you know best what’s happening within you.

How to Practice Trust:

  • Acknowledge that you are the expert on your own experiences.

  • Trust your instincts without always seeking external validation.

  • Allow yourself to fully feel and experience the present moment without second-guessing.

5. Non-Striving

In our fast-paced world, we often feel the need to constantly be doing, fixing, or achieving. But mindfulness teaches us that sometimes it’s okay to just be. Non-striving is about letting go of the pressure to reach a specific goal. It’s about allowing things to unfold naturally, without always trying to change or improve them.

How to Practice Non-Striving:

  • Recognize when you feel the urge to push or change something.

  • Let go of that urge and focus on being present with whatever is happening.

  • Practice simply “being” instead of always “doing.”

6. Acceptance

Acceptance is about seeing things as they are, even when they’re uncomfortable or difficult. It’s the first step toward real change. When we stop resisting reality, we can face it with a clear mind, which allows us to respond in more meaningful ways. Acceptance isn’t about giving up; it’s about understanding that everything starts with seeing things as they truly are.

How to Practice Acceptance:

  • Allow yourself to feel whatever emotions come up, without trying to fix them immediately.

  • Notice if there are parts of your life where you’re resisting what’s happening.

  • Practice embracing the present moment as it is, knowing that acceptance opens the door to growth.

7. Letting Go

Letting go is about releasing our grip on ideas, outcomes, or experiences that we cling to. When we practice letting go, we stop trying to control everything around us and allow life to unfold naturally. This attitude brings a sense of freedom and ease, as we’re no longer bound by the need to force things into a specific shape.

How to Practice Letting Go:

  • Pay attention to where you’re holding on too tightly — whether it’s to an idea, a situation, or an expectation.

  • Practice softening your grip and allowing things to be as they are.

  • Release the need to control everything and see what happens when you let go.

The seven attitudes of mindfulness — non-judging, patience, beginner’s mind, trust, non-striving, acceptance, and letting go — are powerful tools for navigating the ups and downs of life. By integrating these attitudes into your daily routine, you can cultivate a deeper sense of peace, awareness, and balance. As you practice them, you’ll likely find that life doesn’t feel as rushed, stressful, or overwhelming. Instead, you’ll move through each moment with a sense of calm and clarity.

📚 Pick up Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Book Full Catastrophe Living — here