No, Mindfulness isn’t Meditation

 When people speak of mindfulness, they sometimes call it ‘mindfulness meditation’. This is wrong.

 

All forms of meditation start with what the West calls ‘Mindfulness’. Undoubtedly, mindfulness is an import part of meditation. But it isn’t meditation in of itself.

 

To go on a hike, for example, one must step out the front door. Stepping out the front door is a vital part of hiking. But people wouldn’t call leaving the house hiking. It’s literally just the first step.

 

Just like mindfulness is the first step of meditation. Hence it doesn’t make sense saying mindfulness is meditation.