The Essential Nature of Mindfulness: Recent Study Highlights Its Broader Scope Beyond Self-Improvement
Fresh research indicates that the Western approach to mindfulness often places excessive emphasis on personal development, neglecting its more extensive potential for contemplation and connection.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your summer childcare responsibilities? Craving a serene escape from the chaos? Perhaps it’s time to relax and engage in the soothing practice of mindfulness.
In recent times, there has been a growing interest in this practice, which encourages individuals to fully immerse themselves in the present moment. It assists people in navigating life’s challenges without succumbing to excessive reactivity or stress. Rooted in Eastern philosophy and Buddhism, mindfulness is an integral component of a broader ethical framework.
However, a recent evaluation conducted by the unique University of Bath Centre for Mindfulness and Community raises questions about how mindfulness has evolved in the Western world. It suggests that, to some extent, the self-help community has distorted the practice. Instead of using mindfulness to explore their relationships with others, people often focus inwardly on self-improvement.
The analysis, conducted by a team of psychologists and therapists at the Bath Centre for Mindfulness and Community, argues that the deeper meanings and applications of mindfulness are frequently overlooked. Consequently, the true advantages of mindfulness, which include fostering profound reflection and connection, remain untapped. Their findings have been published in the Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy.
Dr. Liz Marks, one of the lead researchers and a clinical psychologist, has effectively employed mindfulness in the NHS to help individuals manage tinnitus. She acknowledges its efficacy in encouraging individuals to pause and reflect on their busy lives. Dr. Marks believes that people could derive even greater benefits if they utilized mindfulness to contemplate others and the natural world.
“Mindfulness is gaining global interest, and rightfully so. It provides a valuable opportunity in our increasingly hectic lives to pause and reflect. However, it is often presented as just another tool for self-improvement. We propose that mindfulness can offer much more than that, affording people the opportunity to ‘look beyond themselves,’ deepening their connection to nature and their community,” she emphasized.
Dr. Marks also conducts research in the field of environmental psychology, focusing on eco-anxiety, concerns about the planet, and potential solutions. Rather than viewing mindfulness as a means to “improve my life,” she suggests it serves as a supportive practice that enables people to lead fulfilling lives amidst the challenges of modern existence while encouraging them to ponder, “How can we make the world a better place for all of us?”
Co-author Dr. Pamela Jacobsen, a specialist in cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness, has explored how mindfulness can benefit patients with severe mental health issues in acute psychiatric settings. She hopes that these findings will stimulate further interest in evaluating mindfulness in clinical contexts.
“There is immense potential to apply mindfulness across a range of health conditions, from chronic pain to depression. As interest in the practice continues to grow, we are witnessing a proliferation of online ‘Mindfulness apps.’ It is essential to ensure that these apps are accompanied by thoroughly tested and evaluated programs that people can access and benefit from.”
Reference: “Current Tensions and Challenges in Mindfulness Research and Practice” by Ben Ainsworth, Melissa J. Atkinson, Eman AlBedah, Sian Duncan, Julia Groot, Pamela Jacobsen, Amanda James, Tom A. Jenkins, Katerina Kylisova, Elizabeth Marks, Emma L. Osborne, Masha Remskar and Rosalia Underhill, 20 May 2023, Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy.
DOI: 10.1007/s10879-023-09584-9
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Mindfulness Research
What is the main focus of the research discussed in the text?
The main focus of the research discussed in the text is the Western approach to mindfulness and how it tends to emphasize self-improvement while overlooking its broader applications for reflection and connection.
What is the significance of mindfulness in modern life according to Dr. Liz Marks?
According to Dr. Liz Marks, mindfulness offers a valuable opportunity for individuals in today’s hectic world to pause and reflect. It can go beyond self-improvement, allowing people to deepen their sense of connection with nature and their community.
Who conducted the research mentioned in the article?
The research was conducted by a team of psychologists and therapists at the Bath Centre for Mindfulness and Community, which is affiliated with the University of Bath.
What publication features the findings of this research?
The findings of this research are published in the “Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy.”
How does Dr. Pamela Jacobsen hope the findings will impact the use of mindfulness?
Dr. Pamela Jacobsen hopes that the findings will stimulate more interest in testing mindfulness in clinical settings. She emphasizes the potential of mindfulness to be applied across various health conditions, from chronic pain to depression, and suggests that thoroughly tested and evaluated programs should accompany the proliferation of online mindfulness apps.
More about Mindfulness Research
- Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy: The publication where the research findings discussed in the text are available.
