As a clinical psychologist, I have had the privilege of introducing thousands of cancer survivors and their family members to mindfulness meditation over the last 20 years. I have seen them arrive nervous, tearful, sad, worried, sleepless, and in pain. They are afraid of when or whether their cancer might come back and unsure of how they will cope with the uncertainties the future holds, as well as the loss of control they feel in their lives. And I have shown them how mindfulness can be the perfect approach to help them cope with these concerns.
What Is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a simple concept: it’s defined as present-moment awareness with a non-judgmental attitude. It’s learning to be in the moment and accept things as they are, without needing anything to be different from what it is. This isn’t the same as giving up or giving in to your diagnosis; it’s seeing clearly what your needs are and meeting them with kindness.
Mindfulness is both a way of being in the world and a formal skill that can be practiced through mindfulness meditation. We can learn to be more mindful, just as we learn to play piano or tennis – through regular and sustained practice. In the Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery program at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, my team has taught thousands of people how to do just that.
There are three components to practicing mindfulness:
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