What’s your state of mind?

Changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes
Nothing remains quite the same
With all of our running, and all of our cunning
If we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane.

-Jimmy Buffett

In order to receive support and benefit from meditating it is important to let go of judgment. To some extent we can force ourselves to pay attention in the moment, but we can’t force ourselves to be non-judgmental. We can, however add other qualities of the mind that will strengthen and support mindfulness. Jon Kabat-Zinn calls these qualities “attitudinal foundations of mindfulness” — basically they are beneficial states of mind.

These are attitudes such as acceptance, non-judging, non-striving, letting go/letting be, patience, trust, beginner’s mind, gratitude, generosity, curiosity, kindness, humor. These attitudes can be practiced and strengthened throughout our day. We can tend these mind states very much like we tend a garden… from seed to fruit.

It is interesting to notice, too, that these beneficial mind states are all interconnected. When we practice one attitude often others will arise naturally. It is true that deepening practice with any of them will support your practice. But don’t trust me — try it for yourself.