The Mindfulness Trend has taken meditation and turned it into a goal-oriented activity instead of an aim. Goals are finite - lowering stress, anxiety and creating pockets of relaxation. Aims are infinite -they can be cone repeatedly and are their own reward.

Meditation's aim is to help peel away life's illusions until we uncover enlightenment. It resides in each of us and yet it is covered over with the daily junk of life so we forget it's there. Meditation is about releasing attachment that stands in the way of our light.

Some side effects of long-term meditation can be diminishing stress, lowering anxiety, and relaxing. If you want this there are plenty of techniques to attain this. They are temporary and you have to repeat them. And that's okay.

Lasting happiness and enlightenment (in layers) appear as a result of the work of meditation. This has been my experience over 45 years of practice.

I haven't reached a fully enlightened state and that may never happen. I work to maintain a compassionately neutral space. Do I feel angry? Do I get anxious? Do I feel stressed? Yes and I work to let go of my attachment to these states so that I don't suffer over my own suffering.