Is mindfulness the new common sense?

Mindfulness, as described in the Buddhist text “What the Buddha Taught” by Walpola Rahula, is “simply observing, watching, examining. You are not a judge but a scientist.” Contemporary mindfulness practice teaches us that mindfulness is simply paying attention, on purpose, to that which is in front of you in that moment, without judgement, criticism, or attachment. Mindfulness meditation is born of this contemporary style, developed and popularized as a secular technique for stress reduction…