Mindfulness Meditation: Self-Awareness and Psychological Mastery from a Psychological Perspective

What is Mindfulness? What is Mindful Presence?

• Mindfulness refers to the object of awareness—what the mind is focused on. In Buddhist terms, it is an “object of work,” something one directs attention to.
• Mindful Presence refers to the action of the mind or thoughts being anchored or fixed on an object. It is the act of stabilizing the mind, attention, or consciousness on a specific object or task. Essentially, it’s the act of the mind settling or remaining focused on something.

An analogy would be like holding a pen: the pen itself is what you hold (mindfulness), while the act of holding it, the grip and stability of the hand, represents mindful presence. This distinction is key.

In practice, body, sensations, mind, and mental phenomena can all be objects of mindfulness. When we stabilize the mind on one of these objects, keeping it steady over time and even cultivating concentration on it, this is mindful presence.

Mindful Presence in Modern Life

In today’s fast-paced world, more and more people are looking for inner peace and balance. Mindfulness meditation can contribute uniquely to self-awareness and psychological mastery.

Even though many people understand the theory of living a good life, they still find themselves trapped in emotions or struggling with relationships. If, after years of effort, life still seems unsatisfying, it might be time to reflect on whether you have truly understood yourself. Mindful presence, as an independent practice, is essential for physical and mental well-being.

Many practitioners of Mahayana Zen often begin with functional practices, but true entry begins with mindful presence or basic meditation techniques. In the Buddhist path, mindful presence is part of the foundational practices. If practiced well, it serves as a basis for self-awareness and psychological cultivation, promoting cognitive and emotional development.

We hope more people will benefit from the knowledge of psychology and Zen techniques for personal growth and well-being. Importantly, this does not require a background or belief in Buddhism—it is about self-awareness and psychological mastery from a psychological standpoint.

The Secret of Mindful Presence: “Knowing Things As They Are”

The core of mindful presence meditation lies in “knowing things as they are”. This means not only observing the external world but also deeply understanding one’s own mind and body. Through mindful presence meditation, we gain profound knowledge of our inner state, with self-awareness at the forefront.

This training helps develop an objective understanding of one’s mental and physical state, free from external disturbances. Over time, this leads to more stable psychological functioning.

Mindful presence is not just psychological learning—it’s an essential way of constructing mental content. With continuous practice, we can reach a state of “knowing things as they are,” leading to a better understanding of ourselves and enhancing psychological stability.

Mindful Action: Enhancing Psychological Mastery

Mindful Action is another critical aspect of mindful presence. It involves cultivating control over mental activities. By practicing mindful action, we enhance our ability to monitor and regulate psychological behaviors and mental processes.

Many people struggle with controlling their mental activities, often getting lost in free association, leading to chaotic thinking and poor self-control. Mindful action training helps us learn to manage our thoughts and avoid getting trapped in disorganized mental patterns.

Just as a mature individual can control their physical actions—such as not randomly punching or kicking while walking—mindful action allows us to control our mental activities. It breaks psychological phenomena into seven categories and systematically trains each one, improving our ability to master our mental processes.

Conclusion: The Benefits of Mindful Presence and Mindful Action

Mindful presence meditation is a profound and effective way of achieving self-awareness and psychological mastery. By cultivating “knowing things as they are,” we can achieve an objective understanding of our inner state, leading to mental balance and stability. Through mindful action, we improve our control over mental activities, avoiding the confusion of chaotic thinking.

In the fast-paced modern world, mindful presence meditation offers an effective method for spiritual cultivation, helping us find inner peace amidst the busyness of daily life. Through this practice, we can better understand ourselves, master our mental activities, and achieve true inner freedom.