Secular Mindfulness as Skilful Means (Upaya-kaushalya)
Dh. Karunavira
Mindfulness November 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-024-02425-3 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Argues that MBSR can be viewed as a contemporary skilful means (upaya-kaushalya) that extends Buddhist compassion to secular contexts without requiring religious affiliation. |
Abstract
AbstractThis paper explores a pivotal question raised by a group of Indian Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) trainee teachers from poor, ex-Dalit communities who converted to Buddhism in the mid-1950s. The question—“How is this MBSR meditation different from the meditation we do as Buddhists?”—highlights the perceived differences between traditional Buddhist meditation aimed at enlightenment and secular mindfulness practices designed to alleviate psychological and emotional distress. Adopting a somewhat heuristic approach, using the Buddhist Wheel of Life, the discussion elucidates how MBSR can be viewed as a contemporary skilful means (upaya-kaushalya) designed to alleviate various forms of suffering without religious affiliation. This perspective aligns MBSR with Buddhist compassion principles, addressing tensions about whether contemporary Mindfulness-based Interventions (MBIs) dilute the Buddha’s teachings (Dharma). By positioning MBIs within the broader context of skill-in-means, this paper underscores their role in extending compassion to those who might not seek traditional religious teachings, thus bridging the gap between secular and spiritual practices. This discussion aims to deepen the understanding of MBSR as a legitimate and compassionate extension of Buddhist principles, adapted for contemporary needs.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. | 2004 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mechanisms of mindfulness | 2005 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective | 2011 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression | 2006 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence (S-ART): a framework for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness | 2012 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cites 2
- Mindfulness: diverse perspectives on its meaning, origins, and multiple applications at the intersection of science and dharma Contemporary Buddhism May 1, 2011
- Too Early to Tell: The Potential Impact and Challenges—Ethical and Otherwise—Inherent in the Mainstreaming of Dharma in an Increasingly Dystopian World Mindfulness June 29, 2017