What is the difference between Mingjue and Mindfulness Meditation?

The main difference between Mingjue Meditation (明觉) and classical mindfulness meditation (as practiced in MBSR or Vipassana, for example) lies in the depth of consciousness and the quality of the inner observer.

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🔍 Comparison: Mingjue vs. Mindfulness Meditation

Aspect	Mingjue Meditation	Mindfulness Meditation
Goal	Stability in pure, independent awareness	Consciously perceiving present-moment experience
Consciousness	Mingjue = pure awareness that recognizes itself	Observing self as part of the experience
Focus	Not the content (thoughts, emotions), but the act of awareness itself	Contents of the moment (e.g. breath, body sensations)
Effect	Deep inner freedom, dissolution of unconscious structures	Stress reduction, clarity, emotional stability
Origin	Zhineng Qigong, inspired by Daoist and Buddhist traditions	Buddhism (e.g. Theravada), modern mindfulness schools

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🧘🏻‍♂️ Practical Differences

• In Mingjue Meditation, your attention is not focused on objects (such as the breath), but remains stable in the “awareness of awareness.” You are consciously conscious – a kind of clear, silent radiance, without identifying with thoughts or feelings.

• In mindfulness practice, you deliberately direct your attention to the breath, the body, or the stream of thoughts and learn to observe without reacting.

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Imagery-Based Description

Mindfulness is like sitting on the riverbank and watching the boats float by.

Mingjue is like realizing that you are neither the shore, nor the river, nor the boats – but the light in which all of it appears.

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