Mindfulness and traditional meditation have some things in common, but they are different in how you practice them and what they aim for. Let’s break down the differences:

1. Focus of Attention:

   • Mindfulness: This practice is all about being in the present moment. It means really noticing what you’re doing without judging it. You can practice mindfulness while eating, walking, or even when you’re doing the dishes. It’s about paying attention to your thoughts and feelings as they happen.

   • Traditional Meditation: This usually has a specific goal, like finding peace or becoming more aware. For example, in Transcendental Meditation, you might repeat a special word (called a mantra) or imagine a calming picture to help quiet your mind.

2. Duration and Environment:

   • Mindfulness: You can practice mindfulness anytime and anywhere. There’s no set time you have to do it. You might breathe deeply for a minute while waiting for the bus or even during a boring meeting.

   • Traditional Meditation: This often requires you to find a quiet place and set aside time, which can be from 10 to 60 minutes.

3. Outcome:

   • Mindfulness: The goal is to be aware of what’s happening right now and to accept your thoughts and feelings without rushing to change them. It helps you build a better relationship with your emotions.

   • Traditional Meditation: This usually aims to go beyond normal thoughts and find a deeper level of calm or understanding.

In simple words, mindfulness is like a free-flowing way to stay in the moment, while traditional meditation is more structured and focused.