Dispositional Mindfulness

Dispositional mindfulness might sound daunting, but it really just means being aware of our thoughts and feelings in the present moment. Each person you ask might provide you with a slightly different description of dispositional mindfulness, but it’s essentially just paying attention to what’s actually happening with your mind and body right now. This may sound very simple on the surface, but how often do you complete an every day task while distracted, day dreaming, or stressing about something else?

In dispositional mindfulness, we let go of those distracting thoughts, and instead focus on exactly what’s happening here and now, even if that’s a “boring” task like doing the dishes or making coffee. You might actually be surprised how enjoyable some of these every day moments can become when we lose the distractions and pay attention.

So, how do we go about developing mindfulness? Well, there are many approaches, and what works for one person, might not be ideal for the other. One starting point is to refer to the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) which is often used in scientific studies to gauge an individual’s mindfulness. This can be a helpful way to assess where you’re starting from, as well as track your progress over time.

Practices such as yoga, Tai Chi, or a daily meditation practice can also help. Today, there’s no shortage of mindfulness and meditation apps available to help as well. My personal favorite is Calm, and you can access a 30 day free trial using my link.