Do We Really Have Time for Daily Mindfulness?

I stow my meditation cushion under my bed. Otherwise, my six-year-old daughter drags it around, like a little buddy.

The cushion was a gift from my husband, who found just the right thing. It’s now worn and a little discolored. But it still supports me—most days for 15 or 30 minutes.

This well-worn cushion makes me recall questions I had when I started. How do I learn more about this? Who else is doing it? What’s the benefit? Am I doing it right? While a cushion is not required for practicing mindfulness, mine is a symbol for all those questions. I needed to figure out what kind was best for me, how to put it
to use, and how to integrate meditation into my life.

Making mindfulness a part of your life is not a one-time thing. It’s a journey: you learn as you go. Like every journey, it involves practicalities, like cushions and schedules and when your children are allowed to interrupt your meditation.
It also involves larger questions, like what books and teachers could be helpful, where to meet others interested in this way of viewing the world, and how mindfulness can help us face life’s big challenges.

Many of you have heard that in addition to publishing Mindful, we’re launching another vehicle to share practical tips, news, research, advice, and mindfulness teachings.

We’ve heard from many of you. For some, Mindful and Mindful.org support long-held views about how to live and work. For others, it’s a new journey. You’re looking for pathways to explore mindful- ness and make it part of your life.

We’ll listen to your suggestions, produce compelling video, and introduce you to leaders in the mindfulness movement—like neuroscientist Richard Davidson, MBSR founder Jon Kabat-Zinn, business advisor Janice Marturano, and others.

I’m excited about what’s on the horizon here at Mindful. Mindfulness has been so much more than a cushion for me. It’s changed my life. I’m thrilled and honored to be on this journey with all of you.