From Mindfulness to Meta-mindfulness: Further Integration of Meta-mindfulness Concept and Strategies into Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been shown to be an efficacious treatment for a wide range of psychological disorders. In the last three decades, there has been a fruitful and successful integration of Buddhist thought and practices in CBT through the concept of mindfulness. Mindfulness is actually only one of the eight contemplative practice guidelines of the Middle Way, a pan-Buddhist principle for overcoming suffering and generating happiness. Hence, in Western literature, although the integration of the mindfulness concept was successful, it is rather narrow and does not reflect the complexity of mindfulness as in Buddhism. This may have impeded the use of its full potential in clinical practice. This article therefore will highlight the lesser known aspect of mindfulness (Right Mindfulness) in the Middle Way and its synergistic relationship with the other seven practice guidelines (i.e., Right Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Concentration, Thought, and View). We then propose their potential integration and application in an evidence-based CBT approach. It is suggested that by integrating this broader meta-mindfulness approach, further advances in CBT practices, research, and training can be made to benefit the human race.