Disney Mental Health Series: 9 Characters who Embody Mindfulness

"Tell me, you're older, and thus all-knowing, do you ever worry about the notion that nothing is permanent?"

-Olaf

When we practice mindfulness, we adopt attitudes that help us deepen our practice. Jon Kabat-Zin has identified eight core attitudes of mindfulness that are present in mindfulness practice and that we as practitioners can learn to implement. Many of our favorite Disney characters beautifully embody these attitudes and can teach us to practice living fully in the moment.

1. Dory - Beginner's Mind

Embodying a “beginner’s mind” means doing something as if it were your first time doing it. It is experiencing every moment, every experience as its own unique experience in time that has never happened before. Dory has short-term memory loss, which allows her to live in the present moment without preconceived notions or judgments. She embodies the childlike curiosity and openness of a beginner's mind.

2. Flounder - Non-Judgment

Non-judgment involves seeing through a lens of curiosity rather than evaluation of right and wrong, good and bad, black or white. Flounder supports Ariel's decisions without judgment, even when he disagrees. His loyalty and non-judgmental friendship are evident throughout the story.

3. Rafiki - Letting Go

It can be helpful to think of letting go as non-attachment. This idea of non-attachment applies not only to material possessions, but also to our thoughts, feelings, and perceptions about our identity. It involves holding them with an open palm rather than a clenched fist and exploring the essence of our existence beyond what we have, think, and feel. Rafiki embodies non-attachment through his wise yet carefree and eccentric demeanor. He teaches Simba to let go of his past mistakes and regrets, emphasizing the importance of living in the present.

4. Baymax - Patience

Patience is essential to the practice of mindfulness, as mindfulness invites us to be present in this moment without anticipating the future or wishing that we could somehow bring the future into the present. Instead, the attitude of patience helps us accept this moment fully as it is without rushing time. Baymax hilariously reminds us, “I am not fast.” Instead, he is programmed to be patient, understanding, and compassionate. He remains slow to better listen, understand, and effectively handle the situation at hand.

5. Bambi - Trust

A trusting attitude recognizes that while we might not have the answers now, the answers or resolution we seek will unfold in time when we continue following a path of compassion and connection. Trust is a knowledge that what we can’t see now will be revealed to us in time. Prince Bambi embodies trust as he follows other forest friends, including Thumper, Flower, his mother, and his father. His innocent embodiment of trust in the process of life and nature is what eventually makes this movie so devastating. Nonetheless, he provides a solid example of this mindfulness attitude.

6. Baloo - Non-Striving

Non-striving involves acceptance our present reality as enough and embracing this moment as its own unique, important experience rather than seeing it as a means to a different end. It’s focusing on each stair step as its own individual platform rather than merely as a means to get to the platform at the top of the flight of stairs. Baloo's carefree attitude and philosophy of the “Bare Necessities” reflect non-striving. He embraces the present moment and teaches Mowgli the importance of enjoying life without constantly pursuing goals.

7. Joy - Acceptance

Practicing acceptance is to practice embracing this moment in all its glory, for better or worse, just as it is in this moment. It’s important to differentiate acceptance from an agreement or endorsement. When we explore the moment deeply, we might very well encounter pain and suffering that we disagree with. However, acceptance is often saying, “I acknowledge without denying or minimizing the pain in this moment. I first must accept the pain in this moment in order to work to heal the pain in the future.” Joy embodies the process of acceptance in her relationship with Sadness. Throughout most of Inside Out, she resists the pain Riley is experiencing and attempts to shut away Sadness. However, healing begins once she accepts Riley’s pain and Sadness’s function and purpose.

8. Winnie-the-Pooh - Gratitude

Practicing gratitude is a way of not taking things for granted. It’s about appreciating what’s working in your life. Pooh is content with the simple pleasures of honey and the company of his friends. His gratitude for these small joys is a central theme in his stories.

9. Olaf- Generosity

Generosity helps us expand beyond ourselves and cultivating our sense of interconnectedness. We practice empathy and realize how just as there is common humanity in pain and suffering, there is also a shared experience in joy and happiness. We don’t practice generosity for ourselves to feel a certain way but because it helps others. Olaf's love (which he discovers is one thing that’s permanent) and willingness to melt to keep Anna warm highlight his selfless generosity. He embodies the spirit of giving without expecting anything in return.

As we watch these entertaining and beloved characters navigate their fantasy world, we can learn to apply mindfulness in our own lives and cultivate a deeper connection with the world around us. So, the next time you’re watching a Disney flick, keep an eye out for the mindfulness lessons and wisdom on how to live in the present.