In short: secular mindfulness, the kind taught in most apps, trains present-moment attention for calm and focus. Buddhist meditation includes that, and adds ethics, kindness and wisdom, aimed at freedom from suffering.
| Mindfulness apps | Buddhist practice | |
|---|---|---|
| 〰 Breath and attention | ✓ | ✓ |
| ♡ Loving-kindness | Sometimes | ✓ |
| 🍃 Ethics (precepts) | ✓ | |
| 📖 Teachings with sources | ✓ | |
| ✦ Aim | Calm, focus | Freedom from suffering |
What is mindfulness? · The whole path · Try 3 minutes
Questions people ask
Is mindfulness the same as Buddhist meditation?
Secular mindfulness comes from Buddhist meditation and focuses on present-moment attention. In Buddhism, mindfulness is one part of a whole path with ethics, kindness and wisdom.