Mindfulness in the East and in the West

Abstract

This paper tries to deepen in the oriental roots of the philosophy and practice of Mindfulness with the aim of understanding its repercussion and extension in the West, as well as its full integration within the framework of the perennial philosophy. To do this, we will establish the origins of Mindfulness in the Buddhist tradition using as main source those authors who have been influenced directly by the Pali Canon, and in particular, we will examine the sermon called the Satipatthana Sutta or the Fundamentals of Attention, which is considered the heart and the central axis of the Buddha's Mind Doctrine. This analysis will allow us to better understand the important repercussion of these ancient teachings in the practice and philosophy of Mindfulness as it is being propagated and extended by the West.