This article is part 2 in a series of articles on mindfulness in counseling and psychotherapy. The article discusses the way in which are ability to think can be both a gift and a problem. Meditation is offered as a tool which cultivates ones ability to see ones thoughts as objects or mental events. With this skill one can choose to distance themselves from thought objects  are deemed to be unhelpful. The result is a less cluttered mind. ( meditation, mindfulness, counseling service, pscyhotherapy service, anxiety therapy, depression therapy)

This article is a brief introduction to the eastern practice and way of living called Mindfulness. Although Mindfulness is often equated to meditation, Mindfulness is the state of being which results from meditation practice. One need not meditate to become Mindful as there are many practices which cultivate this state of mind. In the last decade scientific studies some of which have been funded by the NIH have increasingly shown that Mindful practices can be helpful in treating anxiety, depression and other psychological disturbances. Various Mindfulness based forms of counseling or psychotherapy have now been developed. For example Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) was developed by Zindel Segal in Toronto. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Hakomi therapy are other mindfulness based form of psychotherapy  / counseling.