A mindfulness primer

CrossCurrents

 

The practice of mindfulness entered the world of health and psychology more than 30 years ago. Since then, it has branched out into several overlapping and compatible incarnations. Here’s a summary of its underpinnings and clinical applications.

Mindfulness underpinnings

• Mindfulness – the core value of any of the mindfulness varieties. It is a cognitive state that emphasizes being in the present, without judgment.
  
  
• Mindfulness meditation – the first incarnation of western mindfulness, it is secular in nature but based on the traditional Indian practice of Buddhism. It combines mindfulness (a cognitive state) with discernment, and in this way lends itself well to therapeutic practices, as it ultimately allows for the transformation of thoughts. Mindfulness meditation is the foundation for therapeutic practice.

Mindfulness clinical applications

• Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) – an eight-session practice of mindfulness meditation targeting stress that has been shown to be beneficial for various conditions, including chronic pain, anxiety, depression and addiction. It combines several mindfulness meditation techniques, including body scans, sitting meditations and focused breathing.
  
  
• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) – based on MBSR, Zindel Segal, Mark Williams and John Teasdale developed this approach, specifically for people with repeated episodes of depression.
  
  
• Mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) – developed by G. Allan Marlatt, MBSR targets thoughts specifically related to addictions and relapse. It too is an eight-session practice and participants must be free from substance use for 30 days before participating.
  
  
• Buddhist psychology – merges Buddhism, which, like mindfulness, focuses on the cognitive state of being present in the moment, with western psychological treatments, such those used in addiction.

 

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