The Power of Mindfulness

Mindfulness is present as a central healing principle in all main schools of psychotherapy. However, one of the most interesting developments of the last decades has been the adoption and application of this principle in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Mindfulness as a healing principle in CBT

As a results of some recent developments in CBT, mindfulness training has emerged as a powerful therapeutic method and certain Buddhist meditation practices have become effective therapeutic techniques. These developments have mostly been driven by the pioneering work of Jon Kabat-Zinn, Mark Williams, John Teasdale, and Zindel Segal.

CBT is largely based on strict scientific principles. Thus, it is interesting that science-driven CBT integrated in its models and methods some concepts and practices of Buddhism, a philosophical-religious tradition. This is not that strange, however: classical cognitive therapy draws heavily on other ancient philosophical schools, notably on stoicism. Perhaps, it is more interesting that some 2500 years ago people in India and Greece approximately simultaneously and independently realized that humans suffer not only from adverse circumstances and unfortunate events, but also from the way they interpret them; that distorted perception of the environment causes even more suffering than objective phenomena like natural disasters, injuries, sickness, and death; and that the way to overcome suffering is the cultivation and practice of mindfulness.

This ancient knowledge is currently being rediscovered by us, modern people. By becoming mindfully aware of our own attitudes, beliefs, thoughts, and actions that cause suffering to ourselves and others, we set the stage for change which leads to liberation from suffering. Meditation is one of the means for developing mindfulness.

What is mindfulness?

The term "mindfulness" has a particular meaning in the context of contemporary clinical psychology and counseling. It includes

• certain general values, e.g.: "self-knowledge is better than self-deception"
• a specific attitude or "spirit" of bravery, interest in self-exploration, and acceptance of even the most threatening and painful discoveries;
• concrete intellectual knowledge, e.g. "thoughts are not reality", "even the most intense fear is just a temporary emotional state", etc.;
• particular cognitive skills: keeping attentional focus and concentration, distancing from own bodily sensations, perceptions, emotions, thoughts, and moods, and an ability to investigate the relationships between them;
• specific meditative practices and other exercises for cultivation and development of all of the above.

Mindfulness is not a particular state of mind that needs to be achieved during meditation; it is rather a process or a mode of mind, in which we do not strive for any state, do not aim at a particular goal, do not do anything, but just become aware of and accept each and every perception that enters the focus of our attention without trying to alter or reject it. Mindfulness can be practiced not only during formal meditation but also during any other wakeful activity.

Mindful communication

One of the most powerful methods for development of mindfulness is the contact between two (or more) persons who are committed to the mindful observation and investigation of their own reactions and behaviors, and those of the other person(s). Gestalt therapy and person-centered counseling are examples of how the therapist-client relationship becomes a powerful catalyst of the difficult process of therapeutic change, self-knowledge, and personal growth.