--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Mindfulness means moment-to-moment…" description: "\"Mindfulness means moment-to-moment, non-judgmental awareness. It is cultivated by refining our capacity to pay attention, intentionally, in the present..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc3/jon-kabat-zinn-1327_attention_mindfulness-means-moment-to-moment-non-j_52678.jpg" --- # Mindfulness means moment-to-moment, non-judgmental… ![“Mindfulness means moment-to-moment, non-judgmental awareness. It is cultivated by refining our capacity to pay attention, intentionally, in the present moment, and then sustaining that attention over time as best we can. In the process, we become more in touch with our life as it is unfolding.” quote by Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc3/jon-kabat-zinn-1327_attention_mindfulness-means-moment-to-moment-non-j_52678.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc3/jon-kabat-zinn-1327_attention_mindfulness-means-moment-to-moment-non-j_52678.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc3/jon-kabat-zinn-1327_attention_mindfulness-means-moment-to-moment-non-j_52678.jpg) > “Mindfulness means moment-to-moment, non-judgmental awareness. It is cultivated by refining our capacity to pay attention, intentionally, in the present moment, and then sustaining that attention over time as best we can. In the process, we become more in touch with our life as it is unfolding.” [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Mindfulness is the practice of intentionally observing present experiences without judgment, strengthening sustained attention and deepening awareness of life's unfolding reality. **In simple terms:** Intentional non‑judgmental present awareness. Key Takeaway Cultivate sustained, unbiased attention. Themes Self‑awareness Emotional regulation Presence Attention training Psychological flexibility Mood Calm Focused Reflective Type Philosophical Instructional When to use this quote - Meditation sessions - Therapeutic settings - Stressful work environments - Everyday routines - Education Key Concepts Attention Awareness Judgment Present‑moment Practical Applications - Mindfulness‑based stress reduction programs - Focused attention training Questions to Reflect On - How does non‑judgmental observation change emotional reactions? - What practices help sustain attention over time? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Awareness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awareness/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Meditation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/) [Mental health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mental-health/) [Mindfulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mindfulness/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Non judgmental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/non-judgmental/) [Present moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/present-moment/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“Happiness depends upon our non-judgmental awareness and consciousness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/happiness-depends-upon-our-non-judgmental-awareness-and-consciousness/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/mindfulness-means-paying-attention-in-a-particular-way-on-purpose-in-2/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [Mindfulness means being awake. It means knowing what you are doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/mindfulness-means-being-awake-it-means-knowing-what-you-are-doing/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [The best way to capture moments is to pay attention. This is how we cultivate mindfulness. Mindfulness means being awake. It means knowing what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/the-best-way-to-capture-moments-is-to-pay-attention-this-is-how-we/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [Simply put, mindfulness is moment-to-moment non-judgmental awareness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/simply-put-mindfulness-is-moment-to-moment-non-judgmental-awareness/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [Mindfulness means that as we go through the day we learn to gain control of our mind, our emotions. We learn to conserve energy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/mindfulness-means-that-as-we-go-through-the-day-we-learn-to-gain/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Mindfulness is Buddha's word for meditation. By mindfulness he means: you should always remain alert, watchful. You should always remain present. Not a single…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/mindfulness-is-buddha-s-word-for-meditation-by-mindfulness-he-means/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [“Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment. Mindfulness also involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/mindfulness-means-maintaining-a-moment-by-moment-awareness-of-our/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Every moment of mindfulness means the gradual destruction of latent defilements. It is somewhat like cutting away a piece of wood with a small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahasi-sayadaw/every-moment-of-mindfulness-means-the-gradual-destruction-of-latent/) Mahasi Sayadaw > [Mindfulness means being aware of how you're deploying your attention and making decisions about it, and not letting the tweet or the buzzing of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-rheingold/mindfulness-means-being-aware-of-how-you-re-deploying-your-attention/) [Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/) > [“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally,” writes Kabat-Zinn. “This kind of attention nurtures greater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-schwalbe/mindfulness-means-paying-attention-in-a-particular-way-on-purpose-in/) [Will Schwalbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-schwalbe/) > [“Practicing mindfulness means monitoring, in real time, your experience, and doing so in a nonjudgmental way (Kabat-Zinn, 1994).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-a-jennings/practicing-mindfulness-means-monitoring-in-real-time-your-experience/) [Patricia A. Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-a-jennings/) > [Mindfulness needs to not be judgmental to really be mindfulness, which means it needs a basis of loving kindness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/mindfulness-needs-to-not-be-judgmental-to-really-be-mindfulness-which/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“Mindfulness means paying attention to what is happening at this very moment and being keenly aware of your surroundings and the people in it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/mindfulness-means-paying-attention-to-what-is-happening-at-this-very/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [The seed of your next artwork lies embedded in the imperfections of your current piece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bayles/the-seed-of-your-next-artwork-lies-embedded-in-the-imperfections-of/) [David Bayles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bayles/) ## More by Jon Kabat-Zinn > [Karma is often wrongly confused with the notion of a fixed destiny. It is more like an accumulation of tendencies that can lock us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/karma-is-often-wrongly-confused-with-the-notion-of-a-fixed-destiny-it/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [Living in a chronic state of unawareness can cause us to miss much of what is most beautiful and meaningful in our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/living-in-a-chronic-state-of-unawareness-can-cause-us-to-miss-much-of/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [Paying attention and awareness are universal capacities of human beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/paying-attention-and-awareness-are-universal-capacities-of-human/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [“One practical way to do this is to look at other people and ask yourself if you are really seeing them or just your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/one-practical-way-to-do-this-is-to-look-at-other-people-and-ask/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [I thought it was a stroke of genius that Hans Selye used the word stress, because it's true that if you don't know how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/i-thought-it-was-a-stroke-of-genius-that-hans-selye-used-the-word/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [“dwell in stillness and to observe without reacting and without judging.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/dwell-in-stillness-and-to-observe-without-reacting-and-without-judging/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [Generosity is another quality which, like patience, letting go, non-judging, and trust, provides a solid foundation for mindfulness practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/generosity-is-another-quality-which-like-patience-letting-go-non/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [The little things? The little moments? They aren't little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/the-little-things-the-little-moments-they-aren-t-little/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [Arriving someplace more desirable at some future time is an illusion. This is it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/arriving-someplace-more-desirable-at-some-future-time-is-an-illusion/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [“Give yourself permission to allow this moment to be exactly as it is, and allow yourself to be exactly as you are.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/give-yourself-permission-to-allow-this-moment-to-be-exactly-as-it-is/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [Generosity is another quality which, like patience, letting go, non-judging, and trust, provides a solid foundation for mindfulness practice. You might experiment with using…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/generosity-is-another-quality-which-like-patience-letting-go-non-2/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [Science gave me a cosmic religious feeling, and I would get the same feeling when I was dragged to the Met and the Museum…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/science-gave-me-a-cosmic-religious-feeling-and-i-would-get-the-same/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [Look at other people and ask yourself if you are really seeing them or just your thoughts about them… Without knowing it, we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/look-at-other-people-and-ask-yourself-if-you-are-really-seeing-them/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [“In fact, even if distraction does alleviate your pain or help to cope with it some of the time, bringing mindfulness to it can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/in-fact-even-if-distraction-does-alleviate-your-pain-or-help-to-cope/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [There are a lot of different ways to talk about mindfulness, but what it really means is awareness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/there-are-a-lot-of-different-ways-to-talk-about-mindfulness-but-what/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) [Explore all 252 Jon Kabat-Zinn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) ## More Attention quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [People pay far too much attention to the television and they're quite literal in some ways. At the beginning, when I was playing very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ardal-o-hanlon/people-pay-far-too-much-attention-to-the-television-and-they-re-quite/) [Ardal O'Hanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ardal-o-hanlon/) > [Television, radio, social media. The 24/7 news cycle plows forward mercilessly on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. Thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/television-radio-social-media-the-24-7-news-cycle-plows-forward/) [Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/our-inventions-are-wont-to-be-pretty-toys-which-distract-our/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [What people don't normally know about us is the hustle is very real, and it's sorely driven a lot by how we consider ourselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lzzy-hale/what-people-don-t-normally-know-about-us-is-the-hustle-is-very-real/) [Lzzy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lzzy-hale/) > [For me, the term "psychotherapy" is limiting. It implies that we work with mind and emotions, but excludes the body and pays scant attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jed-diamond/for-me-the-term-psychotherapy-is-limiting-it-implies-that-we-work/) [Jed Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jed-diamond/) > [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-you-approach-something-to-photograph-it-first-be-still-with/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [I'm writing about real things. Real people. Real characters. You have to believe what I write about is true or you wouldn't pay any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-m-writing-about-real-things-real-people-real-characters-you-have-to/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [ I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with \[my wife\] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahershala-ali/i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with-my-wife-in-december-24-1999/) [Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahershala-ali/) > [The Harvard Business Review recently had an article called 'The Human Moment,' about how to make real contact with a person at work: ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/the-harvard-business-review-recently-had-an-article-called-the-human/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [Let us thank God heartily as often as we pray that we have His Spirit in us to teach us to pray. Thanksgiving will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-murray/let-us-thank-god-heartily-as-often-as-we-pray-that-we-have-his-spirit/) [Andy Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-murray/) > [Enlightened people live in very charged states of attention, with a tremendous power circuiting through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/enlightened-people-live-in-very-charged-states-of-attention-with-a/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [We must have a welfare system that we can afford, which will mean giving greater attention to directing the welfare program toward its primary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-portillo/we-must-have-a-welfare-system-that-we-can-afford-which-will-mean/) [Michael Portillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-portillo/) > [The director's job should give you a sense of music without drawing attention to itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/the-director-s-job-should-give-you-a-sense-of-music-without-drawing/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) [Browse all 10,153 Attention quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Mindfulness means moment-to-moment, non-judgmental awareness. 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