Mindfulness Interview With Dr Sarah Shaw
In this episode, I talk to Dr. Sarah Shaw about her book, *Mindfulness: Where It Comes From and What It Means*. We explore the historical and varied meanings of mindfulness, emphasizing that it's not a rigid concept but a flexible quality of attentive alertness that arises from within ourselves. A key takeaway is that mindfulness isn't an altered state but an "altered trait"—a way of being that can permeate our daily lives, rather than something separate from them. We also discuss the misconception that mindfulness is unattainable, using the ancient analogy of a musical instrument's strings needing the right tension to produce beautiful music, illustrating the importance of balance and self-awareness in practice. Ultimately, the episode highlights that mindfulness is a birthright, a practice that can lead to greater happiness and ethical awareness, fostering a balance between our inner and outer worlds.
