What does mindfulness really mean? A canonical perspective
Contemporary Buddhism May 1, 2011 Bhikkhu Bodhi 620 citations
Mindfulness meditation, as described in the Pāli Canon, is best understood as 'lucid awareness' rather than 'bare attention.' The term mindfulness (sati) originally meant 'memory,' but the Buddha gave it a new meaning central to his teaching. Clear comprehension (sampajañña) bridges mindfulness and the development of insight. The author argues that while secular applications of mindfulness are acceptable for alleviating suffering, they should not reduce the practice to a mere technique and must respect its Buddhist roots.