Dhikr as Mindfulness: Meditative Remembrance in Sufism
Marc Applebaum
Journal of Humanistic Psychology October 16, 2023 DOI: 10.1177/00221678231206901 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 7 |
| Key points | Argues that Theravada Buddhist mindfulness and Akbari Sufi dhikr both aim at unitive mystical experience that transforms the meaning of selfhood, rather than at stress reduction for a bounded self. Contends that Buddhism's non-self doctrine treats personal selfhood as an illusion, whereas Akbari Sufism does not, and contrasts both with Maslow's view of self-transcendence. |
Abstract
Mindfulness practices adapted from Theravada Buddhism have become widespread among many in Western societies who seek stress reduction and greater present-centeredness. Less well-known is the mindfulness practice in Sufism–the mystical path of Islam–known as meditative remembrance ( dhikr). While mindfulness is often understood as a self-help technique, the aim of Buddhist and Sufi meditative paths is not limited to enhancing the well-being of a self that is envisioned as strictly bounded. Rather, both meditative paths aim at unitive mystical experience, which is held to profoundly transform the meaning of the practitioner’s selfhood as such. Whereas Buddhism’s non-self-doctrine is generally understood to hold that personal selfhood is an illusion, this is not the case for Akbari Sufism. This inquiry takes a phenomenological approach, exploring the varied meanings of being or “having” a self in the context of mindfulness, and contrasting these with the humanistic psychology of Abraham Maslow. I contrast Theravada and Akbari Sufism’s understandings of the aim of meditation and the meanings of selfhood and compare both traditions with Abraham Maslow’s view of self-transcendence.
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
- FROM SUFFERING TO SURRENDER: SUFI PERSPECTIVES ON ADVERSITY AND RESILIENCE Türk Kültürü ve HACI BEKTAŞ VELİ Araştırma Dergisi September 28, 2026
- Sufism and its significance in shaping the worldview of Central Asian countries Pharos Journal of Theology July 30, 2026
- AI-mediated mystical experiences Religious Studies October 30, 2025
- From Idol to Icon: The Problem of Divine Naming in Comparative Perspective Religions August 30, 2026
Cites 3
- Rediscovering the Later Version of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: Self-Transcendence and Opportunities for Theory, Research, and Unification Review of General Psychology December 1, 2006
- On some definitions of mindfulness Contemporary Buddhism May 1, 2011
- Maslow's "Transhumanism": Was Transpersonal Psychology Conceived as "A Psychology without People in it"? Journal of Humanistic Psychology 1998