As a general guideline for the purposes of this site, we use the following definition:

Mindfulness is the practice of intentionally experiencing the present moment with curiosity.

There are several aspects to that definition which bear exploration:

• Mindfulness is the practice -- This is a practice to be done, an action to take, rather than an ideological stance or idea to be believed. Instead of being a technique one applies, it is a skill that can be developed with disciplined practice, and the results extend beyond versatility with mindfulness itself.
• intentionally -- We are making an invitation in our meditation as an open handed and gentle guidance, rather than a firm and tense direction, exercising the capacity to choose and knowing we're choosing.
• experiencing -- Rather than just thinking or doing, we place our attention into the experience of whatever is happening.
• present moment -- Much of our waking hours are spent with restlessness about the past, or worry about the future, rather than in that time in between, the now, which is all that we can ever be in. Our practice is to return to the present, again and again, loosening the bonds of past and future ruling our state of mind.
• curiosity -- Active interest can also include patience, acceptance, caring friendliness, and other attitudes that are situationally appropriate and helpful.

There are many ways one can view mindfulness. It can be considered a contemplative practice which, as it is developed, can have transformative impact on one's engagement with life. Note that for the purposes of this site, mindfulness encompasses more than one specific kind of meditation often thought of in more traditional contexts.