In 2006, Shauna Shapiro broke down the mindfulness process into three essential components:
- Attention
- Intention
- Attitude
ATTENTION is WHAT we practice. We pay attention to our moment to moment experience. We recognise that our mind will wander into thoughts of the past and future.
We have an INTENTION to bring our attention back again and again.
Intention is why we practice. Intention is the reason why people decide to learn mindfulness, and why they keep on practicing. Intention is a very important aspect of mindfulness training that is frequently overlooked or ignored by mindfulness teachers.
Intention underpins everything we do both at conscious and unconscious level. According to author Andrew Wallace, "Intention is the most underrated power in the universe"
ATTITUDE is HOW we practice. Central to mindfulness practice is an attitude of acceptance, openness, curiosity, and kindness. Old patterns show up again and again, but as best we can, we accept them with openness, curiosity and kindness.