Mind state refers to a person's state of awareness or presence at any given moment. This non-dualistic notion - which the early Buddhist masters referred to as 'the naked awareness of the present moment' - tends to be a dynamic, fluid phenomenon that changes from moment to moment. It encompasses how we experience and perceive the world, our sense of self and identity, our thoughts and feelings, as well as how receptive or responsive we are to external events and stimuli. Mind state is also related to how conscious or mindful we are. When we are mindful, we become more open and aware, enabling us to more skilfully engage with both inner and outer realities.

See also: awareness, consciousness, emotional life, suffering, awakening