You may have noticed that I’ve said in all my Mindful Monday posts so far that there are 7 attitudes of mindfulness. Yet many of the Jon Kabat-Zinn video’s opened with the words 9 Attitudes of Mindfulness. Did that confuse you? Yes, it confused me too because I had been taught that there were only 7 attitudes of mindfulness, so I went off into internet land and had a little investigation.
It turns out that Jon Kabat-Zinn did originally establish just 7 attitudes of mindfulness but down the track realized that there were really 2 more attitudes that he should have included and that he will be including in his next edition. These are:
- Gratitude, and
- Generosity
Having completed a 365 Grateful Project (taking a photo a day for 365 days of something I was grateful for) myself, I can wholeheartedly agree that there are enormous benefits to living with an attitude of gratitude – shifting the focus from what you don’t have to looking for, noticing, appreciating and being grateful for what you do have. I can also understand Jon Kabat-Zinn’s decision to include the attitude of generosity. Generosity is not all about making ourselves feel good nor does it only mean to give material goods to others. I think the Dalai Lama describes generosity so beautifully in this quote below.
Giving material goods is one form of generosity, but one can extend an attitude of generosity into all one’s behaviour. Being kind, attentive and honest in dealing with others, offering praise where it is due, giving comfort and advise where they are needed, and simply sharing one’s time with someone – all these are forms of generosity, and they do not require any particular level of material wealth.
– His Holiness the Dalai Lama
In the video below you will hear Jon Kabat-Zinn himself explain why he has decided to include these two additional attitudes of mindfulness.
Ciao for now,
[This post is linked up with One Mother Hen for #OpenSlather]
16 Comments
I do think generosity is often best shown in reaching out to people…a little can go a long way.
I agree Lydia – just a few kind words, an act of kindness – can make such a huge difference in someone’s day! 🙂
I kept a gratitude journal for the number of pages in the journal… turned out to be just over 10 months… wrote in it daily 7 things I was grateful for. Wasn’t always easy (at the time I did this) yet it truly did make a remarkable difference in my life throughout that time and thereafter. I love the quote you’ve referenced from the Dalai Lama. I find generosity is often found in simply listening to another♥
I love the sounds of your gratitude journal Leanda! My 365 Grateful Project that I did (photo a day for 365 days of something I was grateful for) was not always easy either BUT it had a huge impact on the way I think and how I see things. The act of searching for something in each day to be grateful for became more natural with time and instinctual! Having an attitude of gratitude has an enormous impact on your life! I love that Dalai Lama quote too! 🙂
I really am struggling with people at the moment!! I have zero tolerance and I am avoiding every difficult person I know, quite literally hiding in the supermarket so I don’t have to speak to certain people!! I really need to be a little more generous!!
As an introvert I can relate to avoiding people sometimes. I need time out to recharge my energy stores. Being around other people drains my energy. However, I get lonely without the companionship of others and besides there’s some really lovely people out there! Don’t hide away too much Ann! 😉 x
Yes we should be more generous with our time with another Min It’s something that is appreciated!
Very true Lisa. Simple things like: taking the time to listen, kind encouraging words etc – can have such an impact!
I think generosity is definitely important and something that can be practised in ways other than giving a physical ‘thing’. Gratitude is definitely something I’m trying to do more this year, remembering the little things that make my day or week, even the seemingly insignificant stuff.
They’re both great attitudes to keep in mind as they can make life much nicer for ourselves as well as others! 🙂
These are fabulous qualities to possess. Certain people come to mind that have these in bucket loads, and I am reminded of them as I read this. Qualities that I try to aspire to.
Through blogging I have met so many kind and generous people (a couple in particular come to mind) and gratitude has played a huge part in my healing over the last couple of years! 😉
Another thought provoking post. Agree generosity of precious things like time can mean the world to someone else – it doesn’t have to be anything material at all. And gratitude….well we don’t really do this enough. I am a big fan of thank you notes. They go a long way
I think people underestimate the power of simple kind gestures. I personally have had my whole day changed and/or my mood elevated by a kind gesture or kind words. There should be so much more generosity and kindness in the world 🙂
Gratitude is something so important and so easy forgotten. We ask, ask, ask but we often forget to be thankful when we receive.
Very true Rita! 🙂 x