What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the practice of "paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally."
I can't shut off my mind!
The practice of mindfulness is not about "turning off" your mind, or "shutting off" your thoughts. Rather, it's about changing your relationship to the thoughts themselves, so that you don't feel so consumed by them.
It might be helpful to imagine someone saying "I hate you." Depending on who's saying it -- your toddler, your teenager, your lover, your boss -- your response will be quite different. The words are the same, but recognizing the source can be the difference between heartbreak and simple agitation.
Is mindfulness against my religion?
Although the practice of mindfulness was popularized by Buddhist monks, the practice itself is not a religious endeavor. That being said, many people find that practicing mindfulness serves to deepen their existing spiritual traditions and beliefs by allowing them to feel more connected, present and compassionate.