The Vedic Foundations of Secular Mindfulness: A Study of Upaniṣad and Yoga Influences
K Kathirasan
Qeios September 30, 2024 DOI: 10.32388/ufntee.2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Secular variation Psychotherapist Demography |
| Key points | Argues that secular mindfulness, as popularized by Jon Kabat-Zinn's MBSR program, is deeply influenced by Vedic traditions, particularly Advaita Vedānta, and may be more closely aligned with these traditions than with Buddhist origins alone. |
Abstract
This paper explores the Vedic foundations of secular mindfulness, particularly examining the influences of Advaita Vedānta, Patañjali Yoga, and Haṭha Yoga systems on the development of contemporary mindfulness practices, specifically as popularized by Jon Kabat-Zinn through his Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. While mindfulness is often recognized for its Buddhist origins, this research highlights the underexplored connections to Vedic contemplative traditions, demonstrating that secular mindfulness may owe a significant debt to these ancient systems. The study delves into key Vedic concepts such as intrinsic wholeness, perpetual availability, and non-duality, and compares them with the philosophical underpinnings of Kabat-Zinn's mindfulness approach. Through an analysis of primary Vedic texts and Kabat-Zinn's own writings, the paper argues that his secularization of mindfulness is not only an innovative adaptation but also deeply influenced by Vedic philosophy, particularly Advaita Vedānta. The findings suggest that secular mindfulness, as practiced today, may be more closely aligned with Vedic traditions than previously acknowledged, offering a new perspective on the historical and philosophical roots of this widely adopted practice.
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 6
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- What defines mindfulness-based programs? The warp and the weft Psychological Medicine December 29, 2016
- Implementing Mindfulness in the Mainstream: Making the Path by Walking It. Mindfulness 2017
- Some reflections on the origins of MBSR, skillful means, and the trouble with maps June 14, 2011
- The clinical use of mindfulness meditation for the self-regulation of chronic pain. Journal of Behavioral Medicine June 1985
and 1 more in the library