Mindfulness

Definition of Mindfulness

• Conceptual definition of mindfulnesshas been continuously revised andclarified

• Term ‘mindfulness’ stem fromEastern introspective psychologicalpractices, specifically Buddhistpsychology

Definition of Mindfulness

• Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn - “paying attention ina particular way: on purpose, in thepresent moment, and nonjudgmentally.”

• Thich Nhat Hanh -“keeping one’sconsciousness alive to the presentreality”

• Nyanaponika - “the clear and single-minded awareness of what actuallyhappens to us and in us at thesuccessive moments of perception.”

Mindfulness in Buddhism

• Etymologically, the Pali term sati, which derives fromsmrti in Sanskrit, means memory, but it was given newconnotations in early Buddhism.

• Sati has been translated by different people in differentways, such as “Mindfulness” “conscience,” “attention,”“meditation,” “contemplation,” “insight.”

Mindfulness in Buddhism

Four Fields of Mindfulness:

1. Kaya (the body) : Kaya-smrty-upasthana

2. Vedana (feelings): Vedana-smrty-upasthana

3. Citta (thoughts) : Citta-smrty-upasthana

4. Dharma (phenomena) : Dharma-smrty-upasthana)

Significance of the

‘Mindfulness’ Today

• Growth in study of Mindfulness in last 50 years

• Increase of literature on Mindfulness meditation

Significance of the ‘Mindfulness’ Today

• Major developments are now occurring in clinical and health psychology, cognitive therapy, and neuroscience

• Growing interest in primary and secondary education, higher education, law, business and leadership.

Mindfulness in Different Areas

and Research in those areas

Brain & Immune System

Study/ Research in this Area

Thickens the cortical regions of the brainrelated to attention and sensoryprocessing

Counteract cortical thinning brought onby aging

Effects the regions of the brainresponsible for emotional regulation -heightens emotional regulation

Makes immune system to react morerobustly in antibody production

Decreases the level of stress hormonecortisol

Clinical Psychology

• Zen Buddhism and Psychoanalysis(Fromm, Suzuki, & De Martino, 1960)

• Jon Kabat-Zinn : Mindfulness-BasedStress Reduction (MBSR) - to help thosewith chronic pain issues or stress-related disorders

• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy -teaches individuals to recognize theirthoughts and feelings with anonjudgmental attitude.

Clinical Psychology

Studies / Research in this area say that

• Aids in Long term Psychotherapy Acts as a daily and personal form of psychotherapy

Serves as a preparatory forum for the weeklytherapeutic session.

Psychotherapy and mindfulness are technicallycompatible and mutually reinforcing

• Helps in psychoanalysis :Self-awareness,access to conscious material

• Helps the clients to come out of theirdepression and all categories of chronicpains

Clinical Psychology

Studies / Research in this area say that

• Helps professionals to improve their abilityto empathize with the patients

• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy -reduces Attention Deficit HyperactivityDisorder in children and in other agegroups

• Reduces the symptoms of - hypernoia, thatis, excessive mental activity, neurosis,obesity, stuttering, claustrophobia, anxiety,insomnia, hypertension, asthma, drugabuse, alcohol abuse, and various otherbehaviour disorders

The Physiological Effects of Mindfulness

• Investigation into some of the moreextraordinary feats of physiologicalcontrol performed by advanced yogisin India during the 1920s and 1930s

• Groundbreaking feats of autonomic,respiratory, and perceptual controlwere possible through Mindfulness

The Physiological Effects of Mindfulness

The Cardiovascular System and Disease:decreases heart beat rate - relievingcertain forms of cardiovasculardisease, reduces the stressful effects

Blood Pressure and Hypertension: helpsrelax small muscles that control theblood vessels

The Physiological Effects of Mindfulness

Muscle Tension: Reduces muscle tension -the body’s lowered need for energy, slowing of respiration, and deactivation of stress-related hormones.

Cancer:

Improves on various measures

Reduce the stress and lessens mood related disturbance.

Helps to deal with existential issues

Mindfulness in Everyday Life

• To let the present moment sink in; to see it in its fullness, to hold it in awareness and thereby come to know and understand it better

• A number of ways of practicing mindfulness in everyday life

– choosing to be mindful of one or two regular daily activities

– punctuating the day with a few mini-mindfulness exercises

– taking advantages of opportunities for mindfulness as they arise.

• Becoming more mindful in mundane daily activities make ordinary activities alive!

• All mindfulness activities, do not leave us too abruptly, always helps to continue being mindful into the next activity.

Conclusion