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What Is Mindfulness? A Contemplative Perspective

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Handbook of Mindfulness in Education

Part of the book series: Mindfulness in Behavioral Health ((MIBH))

Abstract

Increasingly, “mindfulness” is being seen as important for success in a wide range of human endeavors. But this word may be used in different ways, possibly leading to confusion or even contention. This chapter provides a comprehensive and fine-grained exposition of the various ways in which the word mindfulness is being used.

Key questions addressed include:

  • Can mindful awareness be analyzed into a set of independent components?

  • What constitutes a rigorous definition of mindful awareness?

  • How has the notion of mindfulness evolved through time and across cultures?

  • What are the specific mechanisms by which mindfulness reduces physical suffering?

  • What are the specific mechanisms by which mindfulness reduces mental and emotional suffering?

  • What about the concern that mindfulness is a way to sneak Buddhism into schools and businesses?

  • How does mainstream mindfulness relate to traditional values such as skillful actions and liberation from small self?

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Pali is the canonical language of Theravada, a form of Buddhism found in Southeast Asia.

  2. 2.

    The Pali version of these would be satipa hāna and vipassanā, respectively.

  3. 3.

    In this chapter, the term “sensory” refers not just to sight, hearing, smell, taste, or physical touch, it also refers mental images (visual thought), mental talk (auditory thought), and emotional body sensations.

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Acknowledgement

I would like to thank Emily Barrett, Donald W. McCormick, Todd Mertz, and Rob Roeser for their help with this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA

    Shinzen Young

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  1. Shinzen Young
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Correspondence to Shinzen Young .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept Educational & Counselling Psyc, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Kimberly A. Schonert-Reichl

  2. Portland, Oregon, USA

    Robert W. Roeser

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Young, S. (2016). What Is Mindfulness? A Contemplative Perspective. In: Schonert-Reichl, K., Roeser, R. (eds) Handbook of Mindfulness in Education. Mindfulness in Behavioral Health. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3506-2_3

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