Mindfulness is an ancient and powerful idea that intersects beautifully with neuropsychology. I use mindfulness practice and Buddhist psychology in my work to help people to feel and function better. Problems with anxiety and depression, and with attention and concentration, can be address by learning to be more in control of our thoughts. Often it is our thoughts, rather than our circumstances, that are causing us distress. Our thoughts are what I think of as the soundtrack of our life, the color and content of our mind as we go about our day. If our thoughts are ruminations about the past or worries about the future, we suffer. But these thoughts are not necessary, not productive. Ruminating is not learning. Worrying is not planning. Yet we don’t know how to stop. Mindfulness is a tool that allows us to spend less of our time in the past and the future, and more of our time in the present moment, focusing on what we are doing or experiencing, and – even better – enjoying it!

Wellbeing begins with compassion towards each other, and first toward ourselves. That is how we begin to heal. We can observe without judgment, we can be calm and patient. We can start from where we are and move forward.