Mindfulness is an astoundingly beautiful gift that when received with grace and practiced with commitment begins to awaken and enliven every part of your being into complete consciousness. Mindfulness teaches absolute acceptance. What is, is. What you feel, you feel. What you think, you think. Without evaluating what exists within the present moment of your reality. Suspend judgement for a time. Surrender to the fullness of this moment and whatever this moment brings. Pause. Be still. Notice and observe what is within you and around you. Even if the moment brings an experience that you would typically consider to be unpleasant or painful. Rather than fight and struggle with the unpleasant sensations of your mind and body, you accept it, just for now and see what happens.

Acceptance of course does not mean losing your ability for discernment, or risking personal safety, whether your own or that of others. You may still act according to your ethics and values (and your need to survive!) but you learn to do so in a manner that does not judge one thought to be superior to another or one feeling to be more worthy than another. Feelings and thoughts are simply internal events that you may or may not decide to view as acceptable or unacceptable, as pleasant or painful, as good or bad, as worthy or unworthy of your attention. For even a moment's relief, give yourself permission to become detached from the turbulence of emotions that typically distress you, consume your energy and weaken your defences. Allow yourself a moment's rest by disengaging from the habitual (mindless) thinking patterns that rob you from realising your full potential. Awaken to the nuances that are all around you. Notice the detail, breadth and depth of what exists within and beyond your momentary world.

The essence of mindfulness is this: this moment is the only one you have. The past is gone, and cannot by undone with any amount of regret or guilt. The future being not yet here and despite elaborate plans may not happen the way you wish, imagine or fear. So, this moment, being the only one you truly have, is the place to be, is the time to be.

Through the practice of mindfulness you will begin to learn about yourself. Sometimes you'll be surprised by what you discover. Mindfulness opens opportunities that you may never have known existed. Mindfulness offers the gift of transformation, of unveiling hidden secrets and awakening inner power.