Mindfulness Protects Us by Thich Nhat Hanh

From How to See by Thich Nhat Hanh,

Mindfulness Protects Us

When we drive through the city, we are constantly consuming things, whether we want to or not. Advertising penetrates our consciousness and the consciousness of our children, who are even less able than we are to filter these sources of toxic consumption. In modern life, we are exposed to many violent or exciting images, sounds, films, TV programs, and articles that either give rise to fear and despair or incite craving. Without mindfulness, we don’t have a skin to shield us, and what we see and hear assaults us and penetrates our consciousness. With mindfulness, we have a means to protect ourselves and to be aware of what we are consuming through our senses.