It's interesting that in these times when truth is being eroded, mindfulness is being promoted. Mindfulness training, when packaged in secular form, is aimed at developing concentration skills, and as an evidence/research based way to manage anxiety and other stress reactions, to improve emotional regulation, aid in addiction recovery, as well as improve social skills and relationships in general. Mindfulness is a component of various other forms of spiritually based meditation and other practices such as yoga. It involves observing and tolerating, thoughts, emotions, and/or sensations (what you see, what you hear, what you smell or taste or touch, body awareness) without judgement, often presented in a meditation format. As such, although it is not framed in this way, it seems to be it is a practice of sitting with the real, the truth. Perhaps it's benefits arise out of a willingness to accept truth, by removing the framework of the judging mind. With mindfulness you are attending to what is, without having to change it, escape it, interpret it, or judge it. The research on the health benefits of mindfulness may be pointing us to a further discovery: humans need truth for health and well-being. (Susan Nettleton)