Mindfulness and Mind-Body Therapies
Routledge eBooks April 27, 2026 DOI: 10.4324/9781003741886-1 (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 has evolved from a spiritual discipline into a cornerstone of mind-body therapies, and that its foundational practices (focused attention, open monitoring) are integrated into interventions such as MBSR, MBCT, and ACT. Contends that mindfulness should be approached not merely as a technique but as a transformative way of being that bridges science and spirituality, with poetry and global contemplative traditions used to engage ambiguity and cultural diversity. |
Abstract
This chapter explores the convergence of ancient contemplative traditions and contemporary psychological science through the lens of mindfulness. Drawing from Buddhist philosophy, poetic reflection, and empirical research, it examines how mindfulness has evolved from a spiritual discipline into a cornerstone of mind-body therapies. The chapter introduces foundational practices such as focused attention and open monitoring and outlines their integration into evidence-based interventions like MBSR, MBCT, and ACT. It also highlights the philosophical underpinnings of mindfulness, including impermanence, nonself, and compassion, and their therapeutic relevance. Emphasising the ineffable nature of meditative insight, the chapter incorporates poetry as a method for engaging with ambiguity and deepening experiential understanding. Global case studies, including Māori, Sufi, Christian, and Taoist practices, illustrate the cultural diversity of contemplative traditions. Ultimately, the chapter invites readers to approach mindfulness not merely as a technique, but as a transformative way of being that bridges science and spirituality.
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 |