Theoretical Foundations to Guide Mindfulness Meditation: A Path to Wisdom
Nandini Karunamuni, R. Weerasekera
June 1, 2019 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-017-9631-7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Argues that understanding mindfulness within its original Buddhist theoretical framework, including moral and philosophical context, can enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of mindfulness interventions. |
Abstract
Mindfulness interventions are becoming increasingly popular across a wide variety of clinical and non-clinical settings where they are often employed to promote psychological well-being. Mindfulness in its original context presented in Buddhist practice is used to systematically understand one’s moment-to-moment experience, and to gradually develop self-knowledge and wisdom. Buddhist teachings describe wisdom as seeing things just as they are - a requisite for the complete freedom from suffering. In psychological writings, although the construct of wisdom lacks a commonly accepted definition, direct experiential self-knowledge is considered to be an essential element of wisdom. The purpose of this article is to examine the three major trainings of the Buddhist path, as well as some of the key Buddhist theoretical constructs, in order to explore their contribution to the gradual development of experiential self-knowledge and wisdom. In Buddhist traditions, mindfulness is practised in the context of a moral and philosophical system, and the mind is described as a sequence of momentary mental states, each distinct and discrete, their connections with one another being causal. We explain how a clear understanding of mindfulness within the context of this broader theoretical framework can be helpful to individuals engaging in different levels of the mindfulness meditation practice, and how this understanding can result in more sustained outcomes for mindfulness interventions. Further explorations are made into how various barriers and motivators to mindfulness meditation can be better understood by linking the theoretical aspects with current research literature on mindfulness.
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
Cited by 11
- Neurophysiological mechanisms of implicit and explicit memory in the process of consciousness. Journal of Neurophysiology October 1, 2022
- The impacts of mind-wandering on flow: Examining the critical role of physical activity and mindfulness. Frontiers in Psychology 2022
- Meditation in Qualitative Research for Bracketing and Beyond International Journal of Qualitative Methods January 15, 2025
- MINDFULNESS TRAINING – EFFECT ON ADULTS WITH ADHD AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND THE ROLE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES Journal Health and Technology - JHT June 21, 2023
- Mindfulness: Why it may work and why it is sure to succeed Behavioral Psychology/Psicología Conductual April 1, 2022
and 6 more in the library
Cites 30
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology October 27, 2008
- Mental Training Affects Distribution of Limited Brain Resources PLoS Biology May 4, 2007
and 25 more in the library