Mindfulness in Social Work Practice: A Theoretical and Spiritual Exploration
Mindfulness and Social Work June 1, 2009 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9781933478609.003.0003 (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 mindfulness, though best known from Buddhism, appears in various spiritual traditions, and that practices like Sufi fikr aim to quiet the 'monkey mind' and foster presence and centeredness through gradual technique. |
Abstract
Abstract Spiritual paths are replete with techniques to help adherents let go of the dominating ‘‘monkey mind’’—the constantly active, evaluating, worrying, anticipating, remembering activity that is going on in our heads—and be open to the present moment and what it has to offer. The ‘‘monkey mind’’ is also the purposeless babbling that is always in the background in our minds. What we know today as mindfulness is one specific and effective method of focusing the mind on the essence of experience, the power of being fully present in one’s life. While the term is best known as part of the Buddhist tradition, versions of this practice are common among the spiritual traditions of the world. For example, the Sufi tradition of spiritual development uses the practice of fikr to fill the mind with silent repetition of a specific word or phrase, so there is little room left for typical mental processes. The universally desired outcomes of these practices, the development of consciousness and being centered in one’s life, are accomplished gradually through a variety of techniques.