Using the Novel INDIGO Method to Explore What a Brief Mindfulness-Based Intervention Should Comprise
Mindfulness February 1, 2026 Kelly Birtwell, Rebecca Morris, Christopher J. Armitage
A novel mixed method called INDIGO, combining timelining and storyboarding, was used to gather stakeholder perspectives on what a brief mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) should include. Twenty-one participants, mostly mindfulness teachers or trainees with an average of 11 years of practice, suggested a mean of just over five sessions. Frequently recommended elements were focused attention practice, inquiry, three-step breathing space, and psychoeducation. Three themes emerged: tailoring to individual needs ("Starting Where You Are"), managing dynamic group processes ("Surfing the Waves"), and connecting brief course formats to existing MBIs ("The Deep and The Wide Path"). The authors argue that developing brief MBIs should be person-centered, consider social common factors, and include teacher training to improve scientific literacy.