Abstract
The transference of the practice and concept of mindfulness from Eastern Buddhist into modern Western society is reconsidered. The underlying question is whether mindfulness as practiced in the ancient Buddhist tradition is still compatible with its modern expressions growing more and more popular in the Western world. Definitions and contexts within the Eastern tradition and the Western approach which is more scientifically dominated are compared, and the process of transference and secularization is addressed. Also, reasons for the popularity of mindfulness and meditation in the West based on societal developments are identified. This analysis comes to the conclusion that there are huge differences between the Western and Eastern approaches and contexts. Thus, it is more appropriate to see the heterogeneous, and mostly secular, practices in the West as a newly emerging culture of mindfulness which has not been there before. Nevertheless, this movement itself entails a transcultural aspect connecting East and West.
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Notes
- 1.
Sati refers not only to a passive meditative state. Right mindfulness or sammā sati is also related to acting in accordance with certain ethical guidelines and the Buddhist principles. Therefore sati has to be combined with sampajāna (clearly knowing) and ātāpī (diligence). These two other notions are often aligned with sati and have to be considered to understand the conception of mindfulness to the full.
- 2.
dhukka is most often translated with ‘suffering’, although this translation does not capture the full notion this word has within the Pali language.
- 3.
Nibbāna can be translated as ‘blowing out’ or ‘ultimate liberation’.
- 4.
It may be noted that following here does not imply a blind and unreflected adherence to certain religious views. Rather the Buddhist teachings stress the importance of being ‘empirical’ within the practice and to hold the resulting own experience always higher than any statements by written texts or religious leaders.
- 5.
The demands of the Jewish Shabbath can be considered as an enforced and earlier version of the same concept and of course the idea of periodic rest periods can be also found in virtually every culture.
- 6.
The Christian doctrine of original sin is, in teaching and structure, very similar to the first Noble Truth that all life is suffering. It would be very interesting and enlightening to study these parallels in more depth.
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Schmidt, S. (2011). Mindfulness in East and West – Is It the Same?. In: Walach, H., Schmidt, S., Jonas, W. (eds) Neuroscience, Consciousness and Spirituality. Studies in Neuroscience, Consciousness and Spirituality, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2079-4_2
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