The Western origins of mindfulness therapy in ancient Rome.
Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology June 1, 2023 Andrea E Cavanna, Giulia Purpura, Anna Riva et al.
Stoic philosophy shares multiple parallels with cognitive behavioural therapy interventions. The Roman Stoics presented theoretical principles and behavioral strategies relevant to clinical care for neuropsychiatric conditions. Mindfulness, a key component of modern psychotherapy, resembles the ancient Stoic practice of attention or concentration on the present moment. Both Stoicism and modern psychotherapy assume that cognitive activity (reasoning) mediates emotions and behaviors, a principle traceable to Epictetus' Enchiridion. Cognitive behavioural therapies and mindfulness-based interventions for neuropsychiatric disorders were originally developed as Stoic-inspired treatments. Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck explicitly acknowledged Stoicism as the philosophical precursor of their approaches. Awareness of Stoic tradition could improve implementation of evidence-based guidelines in neuropsychiatry.