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From Buddhist sati to Western mindfulness practice: A contextual analysis
Jönköping University, School of Health and Welfare. Högskolan i Skövde, Institutionen för hälsa och lärande.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5091-2492
Högskolan i Skövde, Institutionen för hälsa och lärande.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7164-0433
2016 (English)In: Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work, ISSN 1542-6432 (Print), 1542-6440 (Online), Vol. 35, no 1-2, p. 7-23Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Over the last three decades the practice of mindfulness has grown to become one of the most widespread health promoting applications in the West—so much that terms like yoga and meditation have now become standard household words. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the meaning of mindfulness within both its Buddhist and its Western context. In the former case, the aim will be to shed light on mindfulness as a concept and practice that is rooted in Buddhist understandings (i.e., the Buddhist perspective); and in the latter case, the meaning of mindfulness will be more broadly explored in terms of its relevance to society, social work and everyday life (i.e., the social (work) perspective).

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2016. Vol. 35, no 1-2, p. 7-23
Keywords [en]
mindfulness; Buddhism; social work; spirituality
National Category
Social Work Religious Studies
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-27653DOI: 10.1080/15426432.2015.1067582ISI: 000384057700002Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-84958169246OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hj-27653DiVA, id: diva2:844103
Available from: 2015-08-03 Created: 2015-08-03 Last updated: 2023-10-09Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Conceptualizing and contextualizing mindfulness: New and critical perspectives
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Conceptualizing and contextualizing mindfulness: New and critical perspectives
2015 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

This dissertation aims at analyzing mindfulness as a concept and a multidimensional phenomenon in its historic and primordial but also contemporary contexts. In the course of examining this more general question, this dissertation targets four specific objectives: 1) classifying existing definitions of mindfulness, 2) critically analyzing and interpreting the Buddhist and Western interpretations and practices of mindfulness, 3) elaborating on the social and existential dimensions of mindfulness, and 4) applying these dimensions in advancing the notion of mindful sustainable aging in the context of successful aging. Paper I examines and assesses the numerous definitions of mindfulness that have been presented over the years by a wide range of scholars from a variety of disciplines. Paper II traces the roots of modern mindfulness in Buddhism. It continues by exploring the utility and practices of mindfulness in the context of social work. The definitions provided in Paper I and the Buddhist underpinnings discussed in Paper II call attention to the fact that in addition to the more commonly considered physical and mental dimensions, mindfulness contains a social and an existential dimension as well – dimensions that remain under-researched and not well understood. To redress this imbalance, Paper III elaborates on these two latter dimensions, emphasizing their potential to enhance health, wellbeing and meaning in life. Paper III further argues that a more nuanced understanding of physical, mental, social and existential mindfulness can be obtained by examining the interconnectedness of all four fields. Paper IV continues the discussion of the social and the existential dimensions of mindfulness with specific emphasis on their utility for successful aging, and advances the notion of mindful sustainable aging. Paper IV highlights the potential of mindfulness for living a meaningful life and boosting the elderly’s capacity to find deeper meaning in their final stage of life.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Jönköping: Jönköping University, School of Health and Welfare, 2015. p. 77
Series
Hälsohögskolans avhandlingsserie, ISSN 1654-3602 ; 60
Keywords
mindfulness; Buddhism; sati; social work; health; sustainable aging
National Category
Social Work Gerontology, specialising in Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-27658 (URN)978-91-85835-59-1 (ISBN)
Public defence
2015-09-04, Insikten, Högskolevägen, Skövde, 13:00
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2015-08-04 Created: 2015-08-04 Last updated: 2023-10-09Bibliographically approved

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Nilsson, HåkanKazemi, Ali

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