Mindfulness has its roots in ancient Eastern philosophies and religions, particularly Buddhism. The concept of mindfulness was first introduced by the Buddha over 2,500 years ago as a way of achieving enlightenment and attaining inner peace.

The word “mindfulness” comes from the Pali word “sati,” which means to remember or to be aware of. The practice of mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment and observing one’s thoughts and emotions without judgment.

In the Western world, mindfulness began to gain popularity in the 1960s and 1970s as part of the “human potential movement.” In the 1980s, Jon Kabat-Zinn, a scientist and meditation teacher, introduced mindfulness as a clinical tool for treating stress, chronic pain, and other health conditions. He founded the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and developed the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program (MBSR), which is still widely used today.

Since then, mindfulness has become increasingly popular in both clinical and non-clinical settings. It has been shown to have a wide range of benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving emotional regulation, and increasing overall well-being. Today, there are many different forms of mindfulness practice, including meditation, yoga, and mindful movement.