Attitude is a mental set that influences the quality of mindfulness.
Components of attitude include moods, expectations, and intentions.
Optimal attitude – the optimal mental set – includes curiosity, kindness, persistent dedication, openness to experience, holding lightly to contents of mind, a readiness to let go, and being present to the here and now.
An optimal attitude is very important for the cultivation of mindfulness. Attitude helps in the development of mindfulness, but it is not mindfulness: in mindfulness, you are aware of your attitude.
An attitude that is very useful in mindfulness is equanimity. Equanimity means to recognize and acknowledge all contents of mind without judgment or clinging, but with psychological stability and calm composure. Mindfulness practice helps to cultivate the attitude of equanimity, and equanimity helps to cultivate the state of mindfulness. Equanimity is an important concept in the dharma.