We live in exciting times. We live in challenging times. And some of the excitement and challenge arises because the future is, by its very nature, uncertain and uncertainty can be a source of anxiety and alarm that compromises wellbeing, workflow, and relationships.  The uncertainty surrounding the upcoming election along with the many health, economic, social, and educational concerns that loom for many of us adds to the heaviness of this moment in time.

At such times we can find ourselves motivated to do something to feel less stressed.  In this month’s column we’ll consider four primary mindfulness practices that you may find helpful. We’ll consider how each, in its own way, bolsters innate capacities we have always drawn upon for our well-being, productivity, and survival.  As such, these practices offer a fairly direct route to sustain and develop essential qualities we may take for granted—or assume are outside of our control—that are needed today as much as ever.

Focused Attention: A Stable Attention