(Re)Inhabiting awareness: geography and mindfulness
Mark Whitehead, Rachel Lilley, Rachel Howell, Rhys Jones, Jessica Pykett
Social & Cultural Geography October 28, 2015 DOI: 10.1080/14649365.2015.1089590 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 47 |
| Population | Civil servants working in the UK Government |
| Intervention | Mindfulness |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 26 |
| Key points | Argues that mindfulness can inform geographical practices in relation to epistemology and methodology and contribute to geographically informed critical psychological theory and action, including the study of affects, psychoanalytical geographical methods beyond the therapeutic, and geographical studies of behavioural power and empowerment. The authors reflect on their Mindfulness, Behaviour Change and Engagement in Public Policy programme delivered to approximately 47 UK civil servants. |
Abstract
This paper opens up a dialogue between mindfulness and the discipline of geography. As a meditative practice that cultivates ‘present-centred non-judgmental awareness’, we claim that the practices and insights of mindfulness have important implications for various forms of geographical enquiry. This paper argues that mindfulness can inform geographical practices in relation to epistemology and methodology, and contribute towards geographically informed critical psychological theory and action. More specifically, we claim that mindfulness could offer a practice-based context to support the study of affects, extend the application of psychoanalytical geographical methods beyond the therapeutic, and contribute to emerging geographical studies of behavioural power and empowerment. This analysis explores these sites of interaction through a series of reflections on the Mindfulness, Behaviour Change and Engagement in Public Policy programme that was developed and delivered by the authors. This more-than-therapeutic mindfulness programme has been delivered to approximately 47 civil servants working in the UK Government.
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 4
- Ecologies of the self in practice – meditation, affect and ecosophy Geografiska Annaler Series B Human Geography March 31, 2017
- Mindfulness and Behavioural Insights Journal of Awareness-Based Systems Change November 30, 2022
- The Relevance of Contemplative Studies and Practices for Improving Participatory Urban Governance Politikon October 2, 2021
- Exploring the interior spaces of music Emotion, space and society July 21, 2026
Cites 5
- What does mindfulness really mean? A canonical perspective Contemporary Buddhism May 1, 2011
- Mindfulness: diverse perspectives on its meaning, origins, and multiple applications at the intersection of science and dharma Contemporary Buddhism May 1, 2011
- Debiasing the Mind Through Meditation Psychological Science December 6, 2013
- 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