Definition
What is Mindful Diving™?
Mindful Diving™ is the first international standard uniting recreational diving, mindfulness and the science of wellbeing, adding a practice of presence before, during and after every dive without replacing your diving agency.
By Prof. Luis Miguel Gallardo · Mindful Diving Institute
The definition, in one sentence
Mindful diving means diving with your whole attention on what is happening: your breath, your buddy, the water and the life around you. Mindful Diving™ turns that idea into a standard with a method, levels, verifiable credentials and measurement.
Where it comes from
Mindful Diving™ is an initiative of the World Happiness Foundation, in consultative status with the United Nations ECOSOC, aligned with SDG 3 (Good Health & Wellbeing) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water). It is governed by the Mindful Diving Institute, which holds the standard, curriculum, instructor training and research, with a Standards Council, a Safety & Dive Medicine Board and a Research Council.
The collaborating research authority is the Chair in Contemplative Sciences at the University of Zaragoza. The founder is Luis Miguel Gallardo, Founder & President of the World Happiness Foundation.
The arc: Before · Below · Between · Beyond
Before
Intention and grounding: slow breathing, an unhurried equipment check and one intention for the dive.
Below
Presence in the water: attention to breath, buddy and surroundings, only in stable phases and never during descents, ascents or gas management.
Between
The surface interval: reflection and integration between dives.
Beyond
Transfer to daily life: what you learned underwater, carried onto land.
The levels
The personal pathway has five levels: MD-1 Mindful Diver™, MD-2 Advanced Mindful Diver™, MD-3 Mindful Dive Leader™, MD-4 Mindful Dive Instructor™ and MD-5 Mindful Dive Instructor Trainer™. Master Mindful Diver™ is the pinnacle recognition of the recreational path. Specialties such as Mindful Breath™ are optional and can be taken at any level.
What it is not
It is not a diving agency and does not replace your training. It is complementary to, and independent of, PADI, SSI, CMAS, RAID and other agencies: every practice fits inside your agency's standards and your dive plan. It is not therapy or medical treatment, and it never includes breath-holding or intense breathing techniques on scuba.
The evidence
Measured, not assumed. The Institute's living review screened 138 papers and cites 62 on diving, mindfulness, wellbeing and the ocean (DOI 10.68220/mdi.2026.004). Programs measure their effect with validated instruments such as the FP20 Fundamental Peace scale.
How to start
- Create your free account and begin MD-1 Mindful Diver™ online.
- Find a participating or certified center near you.
- Read the book Mindful Diving, the Institute's source text.
Frequently asked questions
What is Mindful Diving™?
Mindful Diving™ is the first international standard uniting recreational diving, mindfulness and the science of wellbeing, adding a practice of presence before, during and after every dive without replacing your diving agency.
Is Mindful Diving™ a diving agency?
No. It is a standard complementary to, and independent of, PADI, SSI, CMAS, RAID and other agencies. Your scuba certification remains your agency's.
Who is behind Mindful Diving™?
It is an initiative of the World Happiness Foundation, governed by the Mindful Diving Institute, with the Chair in Contemplative Sciences at the University of Zaragoza as collaborating research authority.
What levels are there?
Five levels, from MD-1 Mindful Diver™ to MD-5 Mindful Dive Instructor Trainer™, plus the Master Mindful Diver™ recognition and optional specialties such as Mindful Breath™.
Is there scientific evidence?
Yes. The Institute's living review screened 138 papers and cites 62 (DOI 10.68220/mdi.2026.004), and programs are measured with validated instruments such as the FP20 scale.
Every practice here fits entirely inside your agency standards and dive plan. Slow, continuous breathing only — never breath-holding, skip-breathing or hypoventilation on scuba. No exercise during descents, ascents or gas management. Mindful Diving™ is education, not therapy, and complementary to, and independent of, SSI, PADI, CMAS and RAID.