What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a practice of watching our mind and body.  In this state we strive to be completely honest with ourselves.  

In a deluded state we ignore the negative aspects and focus on the positive.  But we don't grow in such a state.  

With mindfulness we can overcome our problems.  

For example, if we had an issue with Greed, we can't overcome it without finding it in ourselves and going down to it's roots.  Mindfulness is a way to do that.  It is a practice we can use to track down the problem to the root cause.

Meditation

Mindful meditation is a explicit form of mindfulness.  You sit and contemplate/meditate on the mind stuff's floating around, finding a way to the root cause and removing it.

Mindful Living

Mindfulness should not just be thought of as a formal meditation practice only.  It should also be considered throughout the day.  Driving to work, eating your food, walking, listening - all can be done mindfully.  Listening and observing each moment.

Result

The result of this is a peaceful state of mind.  We also grow spiritually.  We can't overcome a problem without first recognizing it.  Now that we recognize it, we can focus on it.  As we put our mind on something we can clearly see it and thereby find a solution.  

The initial goal might be "Be a better person," or "overcome anger" but the ultimate goal is going beyond all our faults.  

My Opinion on the Benefit of Mindfulness

My personal opinion as that a process such as this, will free the mental blockages in finding God.  Granted, that isn't a Buddhist viewpoint necessarily - but it's my personal take.