04-05-2022 | ORIGINAL PAPER
Tracing the Path Toward Mindfulness Back to Its Origins: Linking Tenets of Buddhism to Mindfulness Within the Buddhism-Informed Unified Flexibility and Mindfulness (BI-UFM) Model
Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness | Uitgave 4/2024
Log in om toegang te krijgenAbstract
Objectives
The Unified Flexibility and Mindfulness (UFM) model is a process-oriented multistage mechanistic model operationalizing the interplay between forms of mechanistic mindfulness and informed mindfulness, thereby representing holistic mindfulness as a set of interrelated processes and clarifying their links to well-being. Recent cross-sectional, correlational findings from a US sample supported the UFM model. The current study used data across 4 countries to link everyday aspects of Buddhism to components within the UFM model, thereby (1) extending work on the UFM model cross-culturally, (2) empirically tracing various aspects of mindfulness back to their origins, and (3) extending Buddhist psychology to embrace a broad operationalization of mindfulness within the Buddhism-Informed UFM (BI-UFM) model.
Methods
A sample of 2091 online respondents (68% female, M = 32yo) drawn from 5 cultural groups (668 white Americans, 319 Asian Americans, 332 Chinese, 400 Japanese, 362 Taiwanese) completed the Three Teachings of East Asia (TTEA) inventory, the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory (MPFI; a UFM measure), and measures of distress and well-being.
Results
Confirmatory SEM analyses suggested that across random sample halves, culture groups, and Buddhists vs. non-Buddhists, key aspects of Buddhism (e.g., impermanence, meditation practice) were stably and consistently linked to greater mindful present moment awareness and decentering, which were in turn linked to value-driven behavior and well-being. Aspects of punishing karmic view were linked to higher distraction/inattention and defensively reacting to difficult experiences, which were in turn linked to aimless haphazard behavior and distress. Exploratory network analyses yielded comparable findings, highlighting the central nature of meditation practice and informed, value-driven behavior. The results more broadly supported the BI-UFM process model in which forms of mechanistic mindfulness were linked to greater informed mindfulness (e.g., decentering and value-driven behavior), highlighting possible paths toward cultivating holistic mindfulness, thereby promoting well-being.
Conclusions
The current results support the BI-UFM model as a conceptual framework for understanding how Buddhist thought might shape the lives of individuals across the globe.