The key to mindfulness, going beyond the mind, and Enlightenment, is
simply to know who you are.
You cannot really know who you are, because it is beyond knowing, we
can only describe it negatively, you are not thought, (thought/mind are
the same), nor are you capable of being thought of, or labeled by
thought. When you perceive this Truth you will see that all of these
labels that people assign to themselves and each other are the ball
and chain that they drag along with them. They are delusions of
ignorance, and ignorance is ignorance of Self.
See the mystery of your own existence every day, and you will never
be a victim to delusions and daydreams of who you or culture thinks
that you are, and what reality is. When you cease giving attention to
these delusions, they will fade away, and you will have true Mastery
of the mind. Then you will be free to perceive what really is.