Beginning with the Concept: The Meanings of Mindfulness

Abstract

Mindfulness has appeared to take the country by a storm in the last 15-20 years despite its long history in different religious traditions around the world. During the writing of this chapter, Time Magazine produced a special issue on 'Mindfulness: The New Science of Health and Happiness'. Empirical studies, in addition to public interest, are demonstrating support for the neurophysiological benefits of incorporating mindfulness into the daily routine of everyday life. The components of mindfulness, attention, exposure, and acceptance of what is happening in the moment facilitate practitioners' having compassion and equanimity for themselves and about others. However, as with therapeutic processes, these are subjective experiences that have different repercussions based on individuals' psychological, sociological, and biological contexts. Social workers must continue to be mindful of introducing any trend or technique into practice without sufficient training, personal and professional experience, and qualitative and quantitative support. In our rash to embrace what appears to offer tremendous hope for our personal and professional effectiveness, we can not lose sight of the twin foci of mindfulness: private and public peace. This chapter will explore the concepts of mindfulness, the mechanisms of action that make it important for clinicians and clients, the similarities and differences with psychotherapy, and the contraindications or pitfalls inherent in the process of mindfulness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved)