Mindfulness as part of the eightfold path ("right mindfulness") encompasses
much more than meditation, that is true, although meditation is the way
mindfulness as a general practice is taught. The point is to learn to become
mindful at all times.
However, "mindfulness" as used in therapy, etc., does usually refer to use of
the meditation technique itself. So when people talk about "teaching
mindfulness" as an adjunct to cognitive therapy, they are primarily referring
to use of the meditation technique. Clients are also encouraged to practice
this technique while walking, or in times of stress, etc. (that is, bring
relaxed attention to the breath, etc.).
I would disagree that mindfulness is a meditation technique. Rather, my
understanding of it is that it is a state of mind required of and acquired
through 'standard' zen or more traditional branches of Buddhist meditation. It
could be described as a kind of meta-awareness of where one's concentration is
focused and is a necessary step toward and condition of the enlightenment
experience.
--Mike
On Wed, Jun 24, 2009 at 11:12 AM, Paul Okami <[email protected]> wrote:
Mindfulness is not "new agey" although some people who are promoting it for
one reason or another (often financial in nature) may be.
Mindfulness is a meditation technique first described by the Buddha (Gotama
Siddhartha) in a Pali sutta highly likely to be an accurate record of his
actual teaching (see scholarship on Indian Buddhism). Although the original
teaching included the component of "insight" (seeing the world as it actually
is), modern Western mindfulness meditation techniques generally focus on a more
basic component of Buddhist meditation that fosters relaxed attention to the
moment and reduces judgmntalism. The same sort of clinical trials which test
psychotherapy techniques have been applied to Mindfulness-Based
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (MBCBT) with good results--if you believe those
sorts of studies.
Paul Okami
----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Britt
To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 12:56 PM
Subject: [tips] Mindfulness - anything to it?
As it turns out, I don't live very far from a well-known, new-agey place
called The Omega Institute. I've thought about interviewing some of the
speakers who come there, but the kinds of workshops they have are often "out in
left field" (you know, energy medicine type of thing) so I haven't. I'm just
curious about this mindfulness thing that seems to be getting popular. Has
anyone heard about it? I hadn't heard that it was "being introduced into
school curriculums" as they say. Here is the description from Omega:
----------
Mindfulness, a meditative technique that fosters inner calm and a sense
of well-being, is being introduced into school curriculums by an innovative
group of leaders in mindfulness practice and education. The results are
promising for both the children and those who work with them.
During this weekend mindfulness retreat—for teachers, administrators,
child care providers, family therapists, and parents—you will experience relief
from stress and find emotional balance for yourself while learning practical
ways to teach children mindfulness techniques that can help them manage the
challenges of growing up.
-------
Thoughts on this?
Michael
Michael Britt
[email protected]
www.thepsychfiles.com
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