Seneca Meets the Buddha: The Relationship Between Buddhist and Stoic Mindfulness

Two cross-sectional studies examined the relationship between Buddhist-derived mindfulness and Stoic attitudes. In Study 1, 1,781 New Zealand undergraduates completed measures of mindfulness and Stoic attitudes. Study 2 replicated the analysis in 287 Australian adults using a different mindfulness measure. Network analysis identified Stoic Mindfulness as the primary bridge connecting the two traditions, showing strongest links with Non-Reactivity (Study 1) and Insightful Understanding (Study 2). However, Non-Reactivity was negatively associated with Stoic Ethical Development/Compassion, and Beliefs about Control consistently showed negative associations with mindfulness facets. Findings suggest that while Stoic Mindfulness bridges the traditions, certain mindfulness approaches may reduce pro-social motivation, highlighting potential benefits of integrating Stoic ethical frameworks.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Objectives While Buddhist-derived mindfulness dominates contemporary psychological research on the implementation of wisdom traditions, other wisdom traditions may contain comparable contemplative elements. Stoicism, an ancient Western philosophical tradition, incorporates mindfulness-like practices ( prosochē ) and cognitive approaches that parallel modern therapeutic interventions (for example cognitive-behavioral therapy). However, the empirical relationship between psychological operationalizations of Buddhist mindfulness and Stoic attitudes remains unexplored. Method Two cross-sectional studies employed network analysis with bootstrapped validation. Study 1 analyzed data from 1781 New Zealand undergraduate students using the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and the Stoic Attitudes and Behaviors Scale (SABS). Study 2 replicated the analysis in 287 Australian adults using the Comprehensive Inventory of Mindfulness Experiences (CHIME), as an alternative measure of mindfulness to examine the relationships beyond a single measurement operationalization, and SABS. Results Both studies revealed Stoic Mindfulness as the primary bridge connecting Buddhist-based mindfulness and Stoic constructs, showing the strongest associations with Non-Reactivity facets for the FFMQ and Insightful Understanding captured by the CHIME. However, regularized networks also revealed negative relationships between mindfulness Non-Reactivity and Stoic Ethical Development/Compassion (Study 1, −0.099 and −0.100, respectively). Beliefs about Control consistently showed negative associations with mindfulness facets across both studies. Conclusions While Stoic Mindfulness provides a clear conceptual bridge between traditions, the negative association between Non-Reactivity and ethical engagement raises concerns about whether certain mindfulness approaches may reduce pro-social motivation. Findings suggest the value of comparative contemplative research and potential benefits of integrating Stoic ethical frameworks with mindfulness interventions. Preregistration This study is not preregistered.