Mindfulness Meditation does bring on increased awareness of actions and wants and aversions, that were invisible before. You still often do the action, but can watch yourself doing it, and watch it arise and disappear. The trick is watching the thought and desire or aversion arise, and be able to make a decision at that stage.
I have done retreats with Gil Fronsdal- he is a good teacher.
The story and myth, which seems to attract most people to Buddhism, I have chosen not to cultivate.

I like your response and share your approach, but let me focus on your quibble for a minute.

My scientific background is partly in evolution-plant systematics-taxonomy. The reason I bring this up is that we study the meaning of "nomenclature."

What is it that we name? Does it truly have a distinct identity separate from other things that are related but named differently? Or do they in fact blend into one another and we simply apply markers for our convenience.

Does a rainbow have the colors violet, blue, green, yellow, orange and red? Or are there infinite divisions? What do you tell a child? What does a scientist with instruments say?

When a physician screens for a potential "mental case" they use the DSM book. A system of observations and check boxes are involved. A score is given and one is classified as having "something wrong" or not. Will the same score turn up on Tuesday and Saturday? Doubtful.