Oxford Dictionary defines ‘mindfulness’ as focusing one’s awareness on the present moment; to be conscious or aware.
Buddha said, “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment”.
With this statement, he captured the true essence of mindfulness. We should not focus on the past or worry about the future because the most important time is the present. We must focus our minds on what is happening now because the present is the only moment we can be sure of.
Sonia Ricotti said, “Surrender to what is. Let go of what was. Have faith in what will be.”
Both of these quotes focus on acceptance. Buddha said that we must accept where we are now and not focus on what we cannot change or predict. Sonia said we need to accept the past and move on, we need to surrender to where we are now, and the only way to prepare for the future is to have faith.
