Understanding the power of mindfulness from a cultural-psychological perspective
Culture & Psychology September 7, 2023 Enno Freiherr von Fircks 18 citations
Mindfulness is examined from a cultural-psychological perspective, arguing that its need arises from conflicts between personal fantasms (private needs, goals, wants, wishes) and community myths (e.g., the imperative to work hard to be a good citizen). Drawing on E.E. Boesch's theory and an autoethnographic account, the paper shows that mindfulness can alter one's hierarchy of fantasms and one's stance toward a community myth. This transformative role for individuals and groups is further illustrated through analysis of Hermann Hesse's glass bead game. The work provides a theoretical and historical analysis rather than an empirical intervention study.