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Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness 4/2014

01-08-2014 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Rethinking Mindfulness in the Therapeutic Relationship

Auteur: Gonzalo Brito

Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness | Uitgave 4/2014

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Abstract

Mindfulness in the Buddhist context does not stand alone as a tool or technique to reduce and relieve stress. On the contrary, mindfulness is seen as a part of a contextualized set of attitudes, exercises, and practices that are employed to facilitate a deeper understanding of the illusion of a solid and separate self, which is believed to be a fundamental source of suffering. This paper explores how a contextually embedded and culturally informed understanding of mindfulness and the spiritual nature of this practice may help enhance therapeutic presence and the therapeutic relationship. First, it presents a review of the empirical literature discussing therapists’ mindfulness and the therapeutic relationship with an emphasis on the therapists’ presence. Second, it offers a critique of how mindfulness has often been understood in a reductionist fashion as an attentional technique instead of a mode of being. Third, it articulates a contextually embedded view of mindfulness, including its inherent transformational aspects. This paper argues for a revision of the current understanding of mindfulness in mainstream psychology, particularly in relation to the therapeutic relationship.
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Metagegevens
Titel
Rethinking Mindfulness in the Therapeutic Relationship
Auteur
Gonzalo Brito
Publicatiedatum
01-08-2014
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Mindfulness / Uitgave 4/2014
Print ISSN: 1868-8527
Elektronisch ISSN: 1868-8535
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-012-0186-2

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