The formal and informal practice of mindfulness is a process– a shift in consciousness that develops over time with our deeply rooted intention, attention, and care for this Way of being. In this process, there is also result as we come to know with discerning awareness the clarity of our bodily sensations, thoughts, and feelings- witnessing and observing with curiosity, kindness, and objectivity. With a quiet and calm presence in the here and now, we learn to work with our thoughts and feelings regardless of their content- exploring and examining without being carried away by them. From the stability of open awareness and free attention- we cultivate our inherent capacity for ‘mindsight’, an illuminated and discerning awareness that makes space for a shift from “subject” to “object” of experience- where events are experienced with intimacy and sensitivity yet we “see” and sense their impersonal nature. “Observational distance” is at the heart of refining our inner capacity to skillfully use ‘mindsight’ for ‘clear seeing’. 

Awareness is the mechanism by which our mastery is cultivated. It is both refuge and space for resting, awakening, and expanding our consciousness. It is here that we come to realize the conditioned habits and patterns that fuel our personal storylines and self-narratives, and thereby limit our capacity for living fuller and happier lives. The “light” of our developing and emerging process has begun clearing a way to shine as the obscurities of mind are dissolved by our penetrating awareness to see through the empty emotional core that only serves as an illusory “point of reference” for a separate and subjective “self”. In awareness, we are liberated from being embedded and enmeshed in the contents of our consciousness. It is here where we objectively witness the arisings in the mind-body process as awareness is much larger- more expansive than the events of consciousness themselves. Refined ‘mindsight’ enables us to see that we are more than our thoughts, feelings, and sensations- to be with them rather than being defined, conditioned, or controlled by them… a process of “dis-identification”. Mind-body states are simply that… we are not our thoughts, feelings, illness, addictions, etc.

Content of mind that has become conditioned through our process of belief and identification is merely a projection of our being… a dynamic and ever-changing psychological construct of “self” as a series of “mental formations” streamed and reinforced by an ego-centric orientation of being (i.e. concepts, images, sensations, and beliefs). With mindfulness of intention, attitude, and attention, we come to see our cognitive and emotional “narratives” of “self” as simply “stories”.

Mindfulness practice, and the skillfulness of ‘mindsight’ strengthen our capacity to continue to develop and shift our perspective- and our relationship to our thoughts and emotions resulting in greater clarity, objectivity, and ultimately equanimity. Transformation is a process that directly manifests from this “shift” in consciousness. Without the attachment or aversion from a rigidly thinking and judging mind, the events of our consciousness can arise and fall naturally. As ‘mindsight’ continues to be refined, we are enabled to open and illuminate our capacity to freely shift from content of awareness to awareness itself. We “see” and “sense” clearly without the conceptual or narrative filter that often obscures and distorts our experience of what is…

In our practice, sustaining mindful intention, attitude, and attention will not only expand and focus our lens of ‘mindsight’- but these skills will ultimately yield greater self-regulation of the mind-body process (i.e. less reactivity & dysregulation); greater clarity and order; as well as greater health and well-being. With greater context vs. content sensitivity, we inevitably become more flexible, tolerant, and adaptive… more reflective and less reflexive… more complete and less fragmented.

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