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Yes! The good news is that mindfulness is not about making the mind quiet. Mindfulness is about being aware of what's happening in mind and simply learning to observe this. This is the first step. In time, this can lead to more quiet moments through training. We learn to have more loving acceptance of how the mind is and grow a friendly relationship with the activity of the mind without taking it so personally.

You don't need to be able to sit on the floor, to meditate. Traditional practice instructions state this: sitting, standing, walking, or lying down; this is how to practice.

Feeling as if we need to sit cross-legged on a cushion deters many of us from trying a mindfulness practice. Sitting in a chair often eases my achy hips and knees. We can lay on the floor, in bed, stand and practice while walking. Whatever setup you need is perfect.

Not at all. I offer Buddhist studies as philosophy, a way of seeing ourselves and others through the eyes of loving kindness and non-harming. I like to imagine this is a human way of experiencing things, not just a Buddhist way. The maps for practice are offered freely, regardless of current religious or spiritual practices you may have. The path is meant to complement and be woven into any current beliefs.

I have students from all over the world with different cultural and religious backgrounds. My reflections have been that mindfulness and the ethics and philosophical path adds to and strengthens their current practices. The only thing that Buddhism suggests that we let go of are ways of being that add to our suffering or the suffering of others. It is a path that allows us to see how we might do this. The Buddha said, "I only teach two things; suffering and freedom from suffering."

Most students find they can add these practices to what they are already practicing. Sometimes, I hear that students have set down current practices to try out the map for mindfulness, at least for a while. Once the practices are better trained, we learn to take them into other practices and our daily lives. And some students will indeed begin to find different benefits in new ways of practicing and stick with them for many years to come. There is no need to plan to give up any current practices you have. Hop into a class and see what resonates with you.