Is observing thought mindfulness?
Short Answer
Yes. Seeing thoughts arise, change, and fade without immediately believing or acting on them is a core mindfulness skill. This is sometimes called cognitive defusion or meta-awareness.
Why This Matters
Most suffering comes from being fused with thoughts rather than having thoughts. Mindfulness creates a gap between thought and action, which reduces rumination and reactivity. That gap is where choice appears.
Where This Changes
If observing thoughts becomes over-analysis, shift to a sensory anchor (breath, sound) or to open awareness. The goal is clarity, not endless mental commentary about the mind.