Shane Ledford explores how Henry David Thoreau’s Walden; or, Life in the Woods teaches us about mindfulness, interconnection and living deliberately

A consistent practice of mindfulness cultivates many of the inner determinants of wellbeing, resourcing us for the outer work of collective contribution toward human flourishing within a thriving world.

Mindfulness may be one ingredient in the antidote to conditional freedom. When we cultivate the attitudes and practices of mindfulness in a dedicated and sustained manner, we begin to see through the delusions of ignorance, greed, jealousy, fear and anger that cause us to hold ourselves above, discriminate against, and harm others.

Is mindfulness a spiritual practice? It depends on your definition of both mindfulness and spirituality. The answer may be both yes and no...

Cultivating a mindfulness practice strengthens beneficial qualities that mature into a more skillful way of being in the world. When we let go of attachment to outcome and direct our efforts to creating the best possible conditions, we find the courage to persevere.

Though we are often encouraged to take pride in our accomplishments or the groups we associate ourselves with, this self-conscious emotion can become an obstacle and lead to suffering. Mindfulness can help us cultivate more skillful states of mind that have a greater likelihood of leading to lasting happiness.